MOSCOW: Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has halted construction work at new units of Iran’s nuclear power plant in the port city of Bushehr because of the US-Israeli air assault on Iran, its chief Alexei Likhachev said on Tuesday.
Likhachev had earlier warned of the threat posed by strikes near Iranian nuclear facilities, and said explosions could be heard “just kilometers away” from the plant, although the facility itself was not being targeted.
Work has been stopped at the construction sites of the second and third units of the plant, he told journalists.
“It is difficult to predict the further course of events, given the ongoing military operations against Iran, but our people will remain there in any case, and this facility will be among our priorities,” he said.
Likhachev said there was no telephone or electronic communication with the leadership of the Iranian nuclear industry, but contact with colleagues at the construction site remained.
Some 639 Russian personnel remain in Iran, and some who were already in the capital Tehran are leaving, Likhachev said. Nearly 100 workers and their families were evacuated on Saturday, when US and Israeli attacks on Iran began, and Likhachev said evacuations of staff would continue during breaks in air strikes.
Russia halts construction work at Bushehr nuclear plant due to strikes on Iran
https://arab.news/8qred
Russia halts construction work at Bushehr nuclear plant due to strikes on Iran
- Likhachev had earlier warned of the threat posed by strikes near Iranian nuclear facilities
- Work has been stopped at the construction sites of the second and third units of the plant
Canadian police investigate reports of gunfire at US consulate in Toronto
- Police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West
- “Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post
TORONTO: Canadian police are investigating reports that the United States consulate in downtown Toronto was hit by gunfire early on Tuesday morning.
No injuries have been reported.
Toronto police said Tuesday they responded to reports at around 5:30 a.m. that someone shot a gun at the US consulate.
In a post on social media, police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West.
“Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post.
No suspect information has been released.
“The shooting that took place at the US consulate early this morning is an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“Everyone at all levels of government and across Canada needs to make clear that there is zero tolerance for this sort of intimidating and dangerous behavior.”
The reported shooting comes after two Toronto-area synagogues were struck by gunfire last weekend.
“The US consulate was shot at. This comes after shootings at synagogues,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said. “This cannot stand. Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence. As we have seen too many times, antisemitic incidents spike when international incidents rise. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community.”
Chow said there is heavy police presence on Tuesday at both the US and Israeli consulates in Toronto.
The war in Iran has prompted large demonstrations outside the US consulate, both in support and in protest.
