Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) on Sunday confirmed that no signs of radioactive contamination have been detected in the kingdom or its neighbouring Gulf states following the recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a brief statement carried by state media, the NRRC said, “No radioactive effects were detected on the environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or neighbouring Gulf countries after the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
The clarification comes amid growing regional concerns over the potential environmental fallout after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had targeted key Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in a coordinated operation.
While Iran has downplayed the extent of the damage and assured that no radioactive material had been released, regional authorities have been monitoring the situation closely due to the proximity of several Gulf countries to the affected sites.
Experts had earlier warned of the possible transboundary impact in the event of a nuclear leak, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE. However, the NRRC’s announcement appears to have eased immediate fears of environmental or public health risks across the Arabian Peninsula.
