Israeli Strike in Iran 'Won't Cause Nuclear Disaster', Experts Claim

Hans Blix, a former head of U.N. nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Photo by Zimbio.com

An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities is unlikely to bring about a Fukushima- scale nuclear disaster unless a Russian-built reactor is destroyed, according to experts.

"I doubt that the radiation effects would be great," said Hans Blix, a former head of U.N. nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as cited by international media.

However, a potential Israeli attack would cause the Iranian nuclear facilities to release toxic chemicals that will lead to local contamination affecting health and the environment.

"There could be some chemical hazard (from an Israeli attack on Iran's uranium refining plants) but I'd think it would be limited to any nearby communities," said Edwin Lyman, a nuclear expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington.

On Friday, IAEA and Iran failed to strike a deal aimed at allaying concerns about Tehran's nuclear program, Ynetnews has reminded, citing Reuters. Diplomatic sources say Iran has installed many more uranium enrichment centrifuges at Fordow, a fortified underground site and a likely target in any attack.

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