As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, air strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites could have serious health consequences across the region.

Monitoring groups have not yet documented any such impact. On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, said it had not identified radiation leaks as a result of Israeli strikes that began Friday and have killed hundreds of people in Iran.

But that could change quickly as the attacks continue.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that he is worried about “the targeting of nuclear sites, which may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region”.

Not all strikes on nuclear facilities would be the same, and an Israeli military official has said their forces plan to minimise the risk of a nuclear disaster and the consequences for civilians.