IAEA yet unable to assess damage to Iran's nuclear sites

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi described the condition of the three Iranian nuclear sites targeted by the overnight U.S. strikes to the UN Security Council in New York.

Craters were visible at the well-fortified underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow, the IAEA chief noted.

"At this time, no one - including the IAEA - is in a position to assess the underground damage at Fordow," Grossi said.

In Isfahan, the entrances to tunnels that had apparently been used to store enriched material had been hit, Grossi said. At the third site, in Natanz, a fuel enrichment facility had been hit.

Iran had informed the agency that there was no increase in radiation outside the three facilities, Grossi told the council.

The IAEA head called on Iran to allow his agency's inspectors access to the facilities.

"I am ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate," Grossi said.

He also appealed to all parties involved to return to dialogue and diplomacy in the current "window of opportunity." He stressed that military escalation "delays a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon".

"Let us not allow the window to close on diplomacy. Let us not allow the non-proliferation regime to fail. Irrespective of individual positions and views," Grossi said.