The IAEA's Rafael Grossi indicated that centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment site may have been significantly damaged due to recent Israeli airstrikes, despite no direct hits reported on the underground facilities. Israeli military operations continue in response to perceived threats from Iran's nuclear advancements.
Damage Assessment at Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Post-Israeli Strikes
Damage Assessment at Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Post-Israeli Strikes
The International Atomic Energy Agency reports severe damage to centrifuges at Iran's Natanz facility following Israeli military actions, raising concerns about nuclear proliferation.
Centrifuges located at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility are likely to have suffered significant damage or destruction as a result of recent Israeli airstrikes, according to Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Grossi briefed IAEA member states in Vienna, underscoring the potential impact of power outages caused by these attacks, which left the above-ground portion of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) severely damaged.
Although the underground halls housing the centrifuges were reportedly not directly targeted, Grossi emphasized that the sudden loss of external power may have led to the degradation of the centrifuges' systems. He indicated that four other buildings at the Isfahan nuclear site sustained damage, while assessments of the Fordo enrichment facility showed no significant issues.
Israel's military actions were framed as preventative measures against Iran's alleged efforts to weaponize enriched uranium. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Following these recent strikes, Iranian officials called for condemnation from the IAEA’s board, highlighting the tensions surrounding nuclear proliferation in the region.
Grossi also reported on the radiological safety at the sites, noting that contamination levels remained unchanged despite visible damage. In the aftermath of the conflict escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Israel's actions a violation of international law, while the Israeli military has committed to ongoing operations to mitigate threats from the Iranian nuclear program.
This incident comes in the context of increased allegations and counterclaims regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities, with the IAEA having previously declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation agreements last week. With both sides suffering casualties, tensions remain high, prompting calls for restraint from international observers, as the ramifications of such military engagements on nuclear safety linger in the air.
