Intl. law forbids attack on nuclear sites

Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency says attacking or threatening to attack nuclear facilities is in violation of the UN charter.

“According to Resolution 533 of the IAEA, attacking or threatening to attack operational or under-construction nuclear facilities is a blatant violation of the UN charter, IAEA statute and international regulations,” Ali Asghar Soltanieh said Wednesday.

“The remarks made by the former US envoy to the UN show Washington’s warmongering and aggressive attitude as well as its violation of international laws,” Soltanieh said in reference to John Bolton hinting that Israel has only one week to attack the Bushehr power plant.

“(If not stopped), Iran will achieve something that no other opponent of Israel, no other enemy of the United States in the Middle East really has and that is a functioning nuclear reactor,” Bolton said on Monday.

He said that once fuel rods are loaded into the reactor, “attacking it means a release of radiation,” suggesting that any attack should take place before the injection of fuel.

Soltanieh went on to add that some statements imply that until fuel rods are not transferred into the reactor’s building, nuclear facilities cannot claim international immunity.

“According to Resolution 533 of the agency… attacking or threatening to attack nuclear facilities without nuclear materials is also considered violation of international laws,” the Iranian official explained.

Iran’s first nuclear power plant in Bushehr built by Russia is expected to become operational on Aug. 21.