An Iranian nuclear enrichment facility has reportedly suffered damage following airstrikes by the United States and Israel, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA stated that the damage mainly affected the entrance buildings of the underground section of the Natanz atomic site in Iran. While there was recent damage observed, the IAEA clarified that there would be no radiological impact as a result of the incident.
Satellite images by Vantor revealed apparent new damage to multiple buildings within the Natanz nuclear complex in Isfahan, Iran. Notably, two smaller buildings at the site appeared to have sustained significant damage in the images.
A statement from the IAEA confirmed the recent damage to the entrance buildings of Iran’s Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant based on satellite imagery. The organization assured that there would be no radiological consequences and that the main facility itself had not been affected beyond the previous damage from the conflict in June.
Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, accused the attackers of targeting Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, particularly mentioning the Natanz site. He refuted claims that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons as a fabrication.
Natanz, located south of the capital, is a facility with both above-ground and underground laboratories responsible for a significant portion of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. The IAEA noted that before the conflict, advanced centrifuges were used at Natanz to enrich uranium close to weapons-grade levels.
The Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, the main above-ground building at Natanz, was severely damaged in the June attacks, with underground facilities also affected. Israeli airstrikes on June 13 and subsequent US attacks on June 22 further targeted the Natanz complex, causing extensive destruction to the enrichment facilities.
This latest incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and ongoing international scrutiny of the country’s nuclear activities.
