Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center (CNIC), a respected authority on nuclear issues based in Tokyo, released a report on Thursday condemning the recent attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran.

The report described these actions as “dangerous” and cautioned that they could provoke Iran, which has so far exercised restraint, to pursue nuclear armament.

The CNIC emphasized that, regardless of the issues surrounding Iran, these attacks violated international law, as they targeted nuclear facilities designated for “peaceful purposes.”

While denouncing the attacks, the CNIC also pointed out that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium has increased significantly in recent years, with the country currently possessing 408.6 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent or more. Notably, uranium enriched to 90 percent or more is considered weapons-grade.

The report highlighted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no evidence to support claims of nuclear weapon development activities by Iran. Furthermore, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence provided an assessment to Congress stating that Iran is not actively pursuing the construction of nuclear weapons.

According to the CNIC, the “preemptive attacks” carried out by Israel and the United States are unlawful under international law. The organization asserted that there is no valid justification for these actions, including claims of collective self-defense.

Particularly concerning was the attack on the operational Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. The CNIC warned that a missile strike on a nuclear reactor building could release significant amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere. Such attacks, according to the organization, are clearly prohibited under the Geneva Convention.

As a strong advocate for nuclear safety, the CNIC reiterated that past IAEA General Conference resolutions have consistently stated that armed attacks and threats against civilian nuclear facilities violate the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the IAEA Statute.