Russia has strongly condemned reports of a military strike on the Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), which is currently under construction in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In an official response issued on July 19, 2026, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the reported attack as a serious threat to nuclear safety and international security, urging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate the incident and take immediate action.

According to Zakharova, Russia has taken note of media reports claiming that the Darkhovin nuclear facility was struck during the night of July 19. She stated that the reports raise significant concerns because the plant is under IAEA safeguards, meaning it is subject to international monitoring and verification intended to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the reported strike reflects an increasingly dangerous security situation surrounding Iran and warned that recent developments have effectively undermined previous multilateral diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions following what Moscow described as U.S.-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Zakharova strongly criticized the alleged targeting of a nuclear facility, stating that attacks on nuclear infrastructure deserve the strongest possible condemnation. She argued that such actions violate international law, contradict United Nations Security Council resolutions that consider attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities unacceptable, and breach IAEA principles designed to ensure nuclear safety and security.

The statement further accused those responsible for the reported strike of acting contrary to their publicly stated commitments. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, countries that frequently declare support for nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear safety, and the work of the IAEA have failed to uphold those commitments through their actions. Zakharova said the alleged attack demonstrates a clear contradiction between official statements and actual military conduct.

Russia also called on the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct an impartial assessment of the incident. Moscow said the Agency should evaluate not only any physical damage to the Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant but also the impact of the reported strike on the IAEA’s verification and inspection activities. The Foreign Ministry argued that attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities directly interfere with the Agency’s statutory responsibilities and undermine its international mandate.

In its statement, Russia rejected what it described as attempts to exaggerate alleged threats posed by Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. Zakharova argued that such claims are being used as a pretext to justify military action against Iran, warning that any escalation would have serious consequences beyond the Middle East. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, another major conflict in Iran would further destabilize an already volatile region and could have significant global security implications.

Moscow also emphasized that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) guarantees the right of non-nuclear-weapon states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Russia stated that Iran's exercise of this right should not be challenged through military attacks or external pressure.

The Russian Foreign Ministry concluded by calling on the IAEA to take immediate and concrete measures in response to the reported strike. Moscow said the Agency's authority and credibility are being placed at risk if attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities continue without a decisive international response. Russia urged the IAEA to act swiftly to prevent further incidents and uphold international norms governing nuclear safety and peaceful nuclear cooperation.

As of the time of writing, the IAEA has not publicly released a detailed assessment of the reported incident, and independent verification of the reported strike and the extent of any damage remains pending.

Disclaimer

This article is based on an official statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry and publicly available information at the time of publication. The claims and allegations presented reflect the position of the Russian government and have not been independently verified. Readers are encouraged to follow updates from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other official sources as more information becomes available.