Multiple Gulf nations have confirmed that no abnormal radiation has been detected in the region following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, June 22. The strikes were carried out using U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, each armed with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs). These 13,000kg bunker-buster bombs can penetrate up to 18 metres of concrete. The targeted facilities reportedly include the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, as well as sites in Isfahan and Natanz.According to U.S. media reports, nearly half a dozen B-2 bombers dropped a dozen MOPs on the Fordow enrichment facility, marking the first known combat use of the bomb.The coordinated response from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that radiation levels remain normal across the Gulf region, despite the scale of the strike and rising regional tensions following the U.S.’s entry into Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran.
Saudi, Kuwaiti Agencies Assure Public of Environmental Safety
Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission stated on Sunday that “no radioactive effects were detected on the environment of the Kingdom and the Arab Gulf states as a result of the American military targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities.” The commission published this statement via its official account on X, reiterating that the strikes had not affected radiation levels within the Gulf region.Kuwait echoed this assessment through its National Guard, confirming in a statement carried by KUNA News Agency that “radiation levels in Kuwait’s airspace and waters are stable and the situation is normal.”These statements follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s confirmation that American forces launched strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities. According to Trump, it was a “very successful attack,” adding that “the crown jewel of Tehran’s nuclear program, Fordow, is gone.”
Qatar and the GCC Pledge Ongoing Monitoring
Qatar, while also confirming no radioactive threat, emphasized its ongoing vigilance. At a press conference, foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said:“We are monitoring this on a daily basis.”The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) released a statement declaring that “no abnormal radiation levels” had been detected across any of its member states to date. The GCC added that “environmental and radiation indicators remain within safe and technically permissible levels.”In a continuation of monitoring efforts, the GCC affirmed:“The situation and its developments will be continuously monitored through monitoring and early warning systems, and reports issued by them will be published on an ongoing basis as soon as they are received.”
IAEA and Egypt Also Report No Radiation Rise
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, also weighed in. In a statement posted on X, the agency said:“Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran… the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time.”Meanwhile, Egypt’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority confirmed that the country remains unaffected by the strikes. The authority stated that Egypt is far from any direct impact resulting from the targeting of uranium enrichment and conversion facilities in Iran.The strikes by U.S. forces mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, coming after days of speculation about American involvement in Israel’s military operations against Iran. President Trump’s decision to proceed with the attack came two weeks before a self-imposed deadline for resolving the issue.While the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains unconfirmed, Trump’s remarks and the IAEA’s immediate monitoring efforts highlight the seriousness of the incident.