The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency session of its Board of Governors on Monday to assess the consequences of Israel’s recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the agency announced in a statement released Saturday.
The urgent meeting, scheduled to take place at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, was called at the request of the Russian Federation, a permanent member of the IAEA’s board and vocal critic of Israel’s actions.
The development comes amid rising international concern over the fallout from Israel’s large-scale military campaign launched last week, which targeted multiple nuclear sites in Iran, including the Natanz and Esfahan facilities. While Israel claims the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, the operation has heightened fears of regional escalation and raised alarm over potential nuclear safety risks.
In its brief statement, the IAEA did not provide further details about the agenda for Monday’s meeting but emphasized that the session will focus on the implications of the attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which is under IAEA monitoring as part of international non-proliferation agreements.
“The Director General continues to closely monitor the situation and will brief member states accordingly,” the agency said.
Iran has accused Israel of endangering global nuclear safety and violating international law. Tehran claims the strikes damaged parts of its civilian nuclear program, which it insists is intended for peaceful purposes. Iranian authorities have warned of possible contamination risks at targeted sites and have called on the IAEA to condemn the Israeli actions.
Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied possessing nuclear weapons, argues that the military operation was a necessary preemptive measure. Israeli officials maintain that Iran’s nuclear activities have reached a critical stage and pose a direct threat to regional security.
Monday’s meeting is expected to draw strong responses from member states divided over the legality and impact of the Israeli strikes. Russia and China have already criticized the military action, while Western nations remain cautious, balancing concerns over proliferation with geopolitical alliances.
The outcome of the session could influence whether the IAEA takes further steps, such as launching a formal investigation, issuing a resolution, or calling for expanded inspections of Iranian facilities to assess the damage and monitor compliance.
This emergency gathering underscores the growing urgency around Iran’s nuclear programme and the escalating tensions that now threaten to spiral beyond the Middle East.
