TEHRAN – Department of Environment (DOE) Secretary Shina Ansari warned of the negative consequences of a brutal attack on Iran’s nuclear power plants in a letter to United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen.
Mr. Ansari cited correspondence between the United States and Israel before and after the start of the war against Israel, and expressed deep concern about the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law by the two aggressors.
“Following our previous response to the dangerous environmental aspects of these acts of aggression, both before and after the launch of illegal and unprovoked aggression by two lawless regimes, the United States and the Zionist regime, we note with deep regret and deep concern that this blatant violation of international law “I would like to inform you that during the days of 2013 and the continuation of other war crimes committed, these two regimes conducted seven airstrikes against peaceful nuclear facilities, three of which were in flight at the Bushehr nuclear power plant,” Ansari said.
“As you are well aware, any military action against operating nuclear facilities is strictly prohibited under all laws of the civilized world and the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Such actions could have catastrophic consequences due to leakage or radiation of nuclear material, causing permanent and irreversible damage to the environment. The natural life cycles and environments of two of the world’s most important bodies of water, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, have long been compromised by the presence of extra-regional military forces.
Additionally, the entire West Asia region has been severely affected by military operations and illegal military aggression by these two regimes over the past month.
Experts estimate that the carbon dioxide emissions generated in just the first two weeks of the war were equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of 60 countries for a year. Unfortunately, international organizations and the environment responsible for safeguarding world peace and security have so far refrained from even condemning this illegal military aggression.
Their best efforts were merely to express concern instead of clearly and unequivocally condemning the invaders. However, in a situation where peaceful nuclear facilities are not only threatened but also exposed to reckless attack, silence and inaction are primarily seen as complicity with the aggressor and a betrayal of the ideals and principles of the civilized world.
This will be a stain on the records of international institutions, especially those responsible for the environment, and will destroy the confidence of nations in international institutions. We hereby express our gratitude for the initial statement issued, expressly and unequivocally condemn these acts of aggression, and urgently request that an emergency meeting of the world’s environment ministers be convened and immediate action be taken to force the aggressors to cease their war crimes. ”