The petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran [EPA=Yonhap News]

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency and others reported that the United States and Israel attacked petrochemical complexes and a nuclear power plant in Iran on the morning of the 4th (local time).

Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran, stated that the US and Israel carried out airstrikes on the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam that day, resulting in five injuries so far.

Deputy Governor Hayati said, "US and Zionist (Israeli) fighter jets attacked the Fajr 1 and 2 petrochemical complexes, and the Razal, Amir Kabir, and Abu Ali petrochemical plants," adding, "At the same time, the Bandar Imam petrochemical plant was also hit by airstrikes and partially destroyed."

He added that the Amir Kabir plant, among these, was not damaged by the airstrikes.

IRNA reported that around 8:30 AM on the same day, the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex in southern Iran was also subjected to airstrikes by the US and Israel, resulting in the death of one security staff member and damage to one auxiliary building due to explosions and debris.

IRNA explained that initial investigation results showed no damage to major parts of the nuclear power plant and no impact on its operation.

IRNA noted that this was the fourth attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant since the US and Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28, and pointed out that if the nuclear power plant sustains severe damage, irreversible consequences could occur due to the significant amount of radioactive material present within it.

Authorities in Hormozgan province in southeastern Iran announced that a cement plant in Bandar Khamir was attacked by the US and Israel, but there were no casualties or production disruptions.

Given that Iran has been employing a retaliatory strategy of striking similar facilities in Gulf countries and Israel whenever its facilities are attacked by the US and Israel, the possibility of petrochemical complexes in these countries being targeted has increased.

Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran [EPA Yonhap News]

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that day, "Do you remember the Western outrage when the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was attacked?" he asked. "Israel and the US have now attacked the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant four times. Radioactive fallout will claim lives not in Tehran, but in the capitals of the Gulf countries."

He also criticized, "The attacks on petrochemical plants also show what the real targets of the US and Israel are."

In response, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wrote on X that it had been informed of the Bushehr nuclear power plant being hit in Iran and that no increase in radiation levels had been reported.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, emphasized in relation to the attack, "Auxiliary buildings also have important safety equipment," and stressed, "The nuclear power plant site and its surrounding areas must never be attacked." He once again called for maximum military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.