In a post on his X account on Saturday, Araqchi criticized the lack of Western reaction to strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying the response stands in stark contrast to earlier expressions of concern over nuclear safety in Ukraine.
He also warned that any damage to the Bushehr facility could trigger radioactive fallout with severe regional consequences, stressing that neighboring countries—particularly those along the Persian Gulf—would be at risk, not just Iran.
“Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-US have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in (P)GCC capitals, not Tehran,” Araqchi warned.
“Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives,” he stated.
His comments came hours after the US and the Zionist regime carried out airstrikes on Iran’s petrochemical facilities in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, targeting the Mahshahr special petrochemical zone and other industrial sites.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of then Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.