Press release on U.S. attack of 19th July 2026 against the Karoon (Darkhovin) Nuclear Power Plant
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PRESS RELEASE
20 July 2026
On early morning of 19th July 2026 in an act of aggression, the United States launched a number of missiles against the Karoon (Darkhovin) Nuclear Power Plant construction site, a symbol of scientific dignity and technological self-reliance of the Iranian nation. This unlawful attack – the 18th wave of such attacks against Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear sites and facilities since the beginning of the joint aggressions of the US-Israeli regime in June 2025– is yet another clear evidence that these internationally wrongful acts are aimed at destroying all civilian infrastructure of a nation, just for its strong resistance against oppression, and rejecting “unconditional surrender”. It also confirms once again that all such narratives of aggressors as proliferation concerns is nothing but mere lies, disinformation and deception to justify their illegitimate goals.
Such unlawful attacks, as material breaches of the prohibition of aggression – a peremptory norm of international law – are extremely alarming particularly as attacking peaceful safeguarded nuclear installations and facilities is becoming normalized, mainly due to the disfunction of relevant international institutions. While appeasing aggressors, including through silence and inaction, essentially encourages and emboldens them to commit further aggressions more often and more brutally, it is obvious that the persistence of this dangerous and yet accelerating trend would harm the economic development globally through eroding the trust and confidence of nations to reliably use nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. This clearly indicates the urgent need for the international community of States as well as the relevant international institutions in particular the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strongly condemn such unlawful attacks, and to take effective measures against them as they are material breaches of the cardinal principles of international law, as well as the UN Charter, and the objects and purposes of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA Statute.
The Islamic Republic of Iran remains in constant contact with the Agency on this issue. In this regard, on 19 July 2026, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, in a letter addressed to the IAEA Director General, called for taking effective appropriate actions against such aggressions that endanger the integrity and credibility of the global nuclear non-proliferation norms.
While the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to take all necessary measures to vigorously protect its national interests and sovereign rights, preventing any and all unlawful attacks against peaceful safeguarded nuclear installations remain a collective global responsibility, and the world must adopt zero tolerance policy towards such unlawful acts.