Dubai: Anxiety mounted across Gulf Arab states after Israel briefly claimed on Thursday that it had struck multiple nuclear sites in Iran, including the Bushehr power plant on the Gulf coast, heightening fears of environmental disaster and regional conflict escalation. The Israeli military later retracted the statement, saying it had been issued by mistake. Earlier, the military had announced strikes on nuclear facilities at Bushehr, Isfahan, and Natanz as part of what it described as an intensifying campaign to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons - an ambition Tehran firmly denies.
According to TRTworld.com, the prospect of any strike on Bushehr, Iran's only operational nuclear power plant, has already raised particular concern among Gulf nations due to its proximity to their shores and critical desalination infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need for negotiations respecting both Israel's security and Iran's civilian nuclear ambitions, cautioning against actions that could strengthen Iran's political leadership. Putin also clarified that a recent strategic pact with Iran does not include military cooperation. Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned the United States against military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, citing unpredictable negative consequences.
Earlier, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, activated emergency measures to prepare for potential radiological or environmental fallout. Bahrain prepared 33 shelters and tested nationwide sirens, while Oman circulated safety guidance urging residents to seal homes and stay indoors in case of contamination. Regional leaders expressed alarm over military actions risking devastation of shared waters and critical resources. The UAE's foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, and Qatar's authorities highlighted the dangers of miscalculated actions threatening Gulf states' water supplies.
Almost 60 million people across the Gulf rely on desalinated water from the Gulf. A significant radiological leak could contaminate this source, endangering drinking water, agriculture, and marine life. Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani previously warned that such a scenario could leave countries like Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE without usable water in just three days.
On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed damage at Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz and at a research site in Isfahan, although it reported no change in radiation levels outside the sites so far. IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi indicated risks of radiological and chemical contamination inside Natanz due to the release of hazardous uranium hexafluoride gas. Grossi urged for immediate technical information from Iran to accurately assess the situation and warned that continued military escalation could lead to a dangerous radiological release, threatening lives, the environment, and diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.