The Middle East war - Iran says that US attack actually targeted a nuclear plant under construction

A heavily-damaged bridge which was hit by a US strike is pictured along the road connecting Roudan and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on July 18, 2026. The United States hit Iran on July 17, with Tehran accusing US forces of striking civilians sites and drawing Iranian threats of reprisals on regional infrastructure. A battle over the strategic Strait of Hormuz has rekindled the war in the Middle East and the foes have traded fire for six days running. -- Photo by Amir Hossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP

ISTANBUL (Bernama-Anadolu): Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said on Sunday that US strikes targeted the Darkhovin nuclear power plant, which is still under construction in the country’s southwest, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

"An attack on a peaceful nuclear facility under international safeguards is a clear violation of international law," the organisation said on X.

It did not reveal further details about possible damage from the attack.

The statement came amid heightened tensions in the region, where the US has launched attacks on Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting facilities and bases it says are used by the US military in several regional countries.

The exchange of fire between Washington and Tehran comes despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding signed in June to end their war and reach a lasting peace agreement.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU