IAEA chief urges emergency meeting over US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites Iran’s Plea Heard

On June 22, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors scheduled for June 23, directly responding to Iran’s urgent call following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“In light of the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors for tomorrow,” Grossi said on his X page on June 22, Caliber.Az reports.

Earlier today, June 22, Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani called for the UN Security Council to arrange an emergency meeting over the US attacks: “In light of the serious and far-reaching consequences of these barbaric and criminal actions for international peace and security, the Islamic Republic of Iran urgently requests the Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to immediately address this egregious and unlawful act of aggression."

The move follows a series of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, notably the heavily fortified Fordow facility, as well as Natanz and Isfahan, amid escalating regional tensions. The meeting aims to address the implications of these strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

The longstanding Israel-Iran conflict’s recent escalation began with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” launched on June 13, targeting Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership. Israel conducted over 200 airstrikes, hitting nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and possibly Fordow, as well as missile production and launch sites, air defence systems, and senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of ballistic missiles and drone attacks on Israel, starting June 13, targeting cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. These barrages, dubbed “True Promise 3” by Iranian state media, initially involved over 100 missiles and drones, though Israel’s Iron Dome and other air defence systems intercepted most. However, some missiles caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, with at least 24 Israelis reportedly killed and over 800 injured by June 19. Iran’s missile salvos decreased in size over time, from 370 missiles early in the conflict to fewer than 20 by June 17, largely due to Israel’s systematic destruction of Iranian launchers and storage facilities.

By Khagan Isayev