Rosatom: Accident at Bushehr NPP will affect the entire Middle East

The head of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, said that a hypothetical accident at the Bushehr NPP in Iran could trigger the spread of radioactive substances to the territory of many Middle Eastern states. According to him, an incident at a nuclear power plant will acquire at least a regional scale.

Earlier, Likhachev clarified that Russian specialists continue to participate in the maintenance of equipment at the site where the construction and operation of Bushehr power units are underway. The work is being carried out as usual.

At the end of February, the company strengthened security measures at the nuclear power plant. During the same period, 94 people were evacuated from Iran, including employees' children, some technical personnel, and everyone who wanted to leave the country.

The geographical location of the Bushehr NPP — on the coast of the Persian Gulf — creates additional risks. In the event of a release of radioactive materials, wind currents can carry pollution for hundreds of kilometers, affecting densely populated areas of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, and other countries in the region. Marine currents are also capable of spreading pollution throughout the waters of the gulf, which will create a threat to the ecosystem and fisheries.

The corporation continues to monitor the situation and maintain contact with Iranian colleagues to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the nuclear power plant. This week, the station was shelled.