Gulf states confirm safety following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities; IAEA monitoring continues
In the wake of U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure during the early hours of Sunday, June 22, regional and international nuclear regulatory bodies have confirmed that no abnormal levels of radiation have been detected.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ top nuclear watchdog, issued a statement assuring the global community that there has been “no radiation increase” reported from the targeted facilities.
The strikes, ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump in coordination with Israeli forces, were described by the American leader as a “very successful attack,” with Fordow, a major component of Iran’s uranium enrichment program, allegedly destroyed.
“This was an amazing success tonight,” Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview. “They should make peace immediately or they’ll get hit again.”
Despite fears of environmental fallout, the IAEA said it will continue to assess the situation on the ground and provide updates as more data becomes available.
Its confirmation has brought a measure of relief to surrounding nations, many of which share borders or maritime proximity to Iran.
The United Arab Emirates’ Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) announced that there was no impact on its territory following the U.S. bombardment.
“All relevant national authorities are closely monitoring developments related to nuclear facilities in Iran,” the FANR stated.
Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission posted a message on social media platform X, confirming that “no radioactive traces have been detected in the environment of Saudi Arabia or other Arab Gulf states” following the attacks.
Kuwait’s nuclear safety body echoed the sentiment, noting that its airspace and coastal waters remain unaffected. “There has been no increase in radioactive traces found in our environment,” the authority stated.
Qatar, which has also been closely monitoring the situation, reassured its citizens during a press briefing. “We are monitoring this on a daily basis,” said Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry.
The General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) added further reassurance by confirming that all radiation indicators across its member states remain within “safe and technically permissible levels.”
The council stated that early warning and environmental monitoring systems are actively tracking any possible changes and will release updates as necessary. The U.S. strikes mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Trump’s decision to join Israel’s military campaign comes just two weeks before his self-imposed deadline for action, intensifying already heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
While the absence of radiation leakage is a temporary relief, the broader implications of the attack—particularly on nuclear non-proliferation efforts and regional stability—remain uncertain.
Observers and regulatory agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, as the international community braces for Iran’s potential response.