Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Xinhua) — The international nuclear non-proliferation regime could collapse unless diplomacy returns, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday.
“The nuclear non-proliferation regime, which has underpinned international security for more than half a century, is under threat. Events in Iran have become even more alarming after the overnight bombings and the possible widening of the conflict,” he said.
“We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If it closes, violence and destruction could reach unimaginable levels, and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it would simply collapse,” he warned.
Iran, Israel and the Middle East need peace and there is a path for diplomacy, said R. Grossi, stressing the need to return to the negotiating table.
Assessing the consequences of the US strikes, he reported that there was destruction at the facilities, but no radiation leaks were recorded.
According to information received from the Iranian side, the radiation level outside the three sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz has not increased, he added.
He said the IAEA had consistently stressed that armed attacks on nuclear facilities should not occur and could result in radioactive releases with serious consequences both within and beyond the attacked state. He reiterated his call for maximum restraint.
“Let’s not let the window of diplomacy slam shut. Let’s not let the non-proliferation regime collapse. Regardless of individual positions and views, one thing is certain, and it is a simple truth: we will not be safer if more states around the world have more nuclear weapons,” concluded R. Grossi. –0–