Iran’s atomic agency says an airstrike has hit near its Bushehr nuclear facility, killing a security guard and damaging a support building.

The agency announced Saturday’s attack on social media.

It is the fourth time the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has been targeted since the war began on February 28. The strike occurred close to the plant at 8:30am local time today, leaving one of its auxiliary buildings damaged, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said.

It added that because the plant has significant quantities of radioactive material, any serious damage to it could spark a major nuclear incident with far-reaching and irreparable consequences for the region. According to early investigations, the blast has not damaged the plant’s main facilities, or affected its operational status.

Meanwhile, the US AP’s military pressed ahead Saturday in a frantic search for a missing pilot after Iran shot down an American warplane, as Iran called on people to turn the pilot in, promising a reward.

The plane, identified by Iran as a US F-15E Strike Eagle, was one of two attacked on Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing. It was the first time the United States lost aircraft in Iranian territory during the war, now in its sixth week, and could mark a new turning point in the campaign.

The conflict, launched by the US and Israel on Feb. 28, has rippled across the region. It has so far killed thousands, upended global markets, cut off key shipping routes, spiked fuel prices and shows no signs of slowing as Iran responds to US and Israeli airstrikes with attacks across the region.

-- Agencies