Gulf states sought reassurances from Iran at a UN nuclear agency meeting this week over the safety of its only atomic energy plant, which is located in an earthquake-prone coastal area, diplomats said yesterday.
The Bushehr facility on Iran’s Gulf coast is a growing worry for nearby countries: if radiation ever does escape it could be blown over the Gulf to Qatar’s capital Doha and the main oil exporting ports of the UAE.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia raised the issue during a closed-door June 3-7 meeting of the 35-nation Board of Governors of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency, the diplomats said.
“(They) share the same concern because of the geographical proximity (to Bushehr),” said a senior Vienna-based diplomat.
“Maintaining safety is the responsibility of Iran and we don’t know the reason why Bushehr is shut down,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said.
Kingdom reiterates Bushehr concern
Kingdom reiterates Bushehr concern
