On March 19, 2026, Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, called for the creation of a “safety island” around Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. This plea follows a recent incident where a projectile struck within several hundred meters of the reactor, raising fears of a nuclear accident. Likhachev stressed that an attack on the facility could lead to catastrophic consequences not just for Iran, but for numerous countries throughout the Middle East.

Likhachev reported that the Bushehr site currently contains 72 tons of fissile material and 210 tons of spent nuclear fuel. He warned that any significant incident could have repercussions that would extend well beyond Iran's borders, saying, “None of the parties to the conflict would avoid radiation exposure in the event of a serious accident at Bushehr.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that while a structure about 350 meters from the reactor was destroyed, there were no damages to the reactor itself, and radiation levels remained normal. However, Iran has faced extensive airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel since February 28, raising concerns over the safety of its nuclear installations.

In light of these developments, Rosatom has initiated an evacuation of its personnel, leaving only a small number of staff at the site, and plans for a deeper evacuation are underway. Likhachev urged political leaders involved in the conflict to prioritize safety and avoid any potential strikes on the nuclear facility, reiterating the importance of cooperative measures to preserve the integrity of such critical infrastructure.

As tensions in the region escalate, the potential risks to the Bushehr nuclear plant highlight broader geopolitical issues, prompting calls for negotiation and comprehensive safety arrangements around sensitive sites.