The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on Monday warned of the risk of a nuclear accident as military tensions intensify across the Middle East.

“All of us have been following with concern the military attacks in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East,” Mr Grossi said in Vienna.

He warned that radiological releases with serious consequences cannot be ruled out.

“We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large as or larger than major cities,” he said.

Mr Grossi noted that there is currently no indication that Iranian nuclear facilities have been damaged in ongoing Israeli and U.S. attacks.

However, he warned of broader nuclear safety risks in the region, pointing out that several Gulf states with nuclear installations have also come under fire in Iranian retaliatory strikes.

He cited nuclear reactors in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Syria and stressed that many other countries in the region possess nuclear technology.

“We therefore urge utmost restraint in all military operations,” Mr Grossi said.

Israel and the United States struck and heavily damaged Iranian nuclear facilities last June.

(dpa/NAN)