Damage to Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Following Israeli Strikes, IAEA Reports

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that Israeli airstrikes likely caused severe damage to centrifuges at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. Despite the underground structures not being directly hit, power outages may have compromised the equipment. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, while escalating tensions have led to calls for international restraint.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, reported that airstrikes by Israel on Friday have likely led to severe damage, if not total destruction, of centrifuges at Iran's underground uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. During a briefing with member states in Vienna, Grossi emphasized that the surface-level damage to the facility resulted in power outages, which were detrimental to the centrifuges needed for uranium processing.

Grossi cited that while the underground structure housing the centrifuges was not directly impacted by the strikes, the power interruption likely caused substantial harm. In addition to Natanz, four buildings sustained damage at the Isfahan nuclear site, yet the underground Fordo plant appears to have escaped significant harm, according to satellite assessments.

Israel has asserted its aim was to prevent Iranian advancements in nuclear weapon capabilities, claiming that the recent attacks also resulted in the deaths of nine Iranian nuclear experts. This assault aligns with allegations that Iran has been progressing towards weaponizing its enriched uranium.

In a firm reiteration, Iran has maintained that its nuclear initiatives are strictly for peaceful purposes. The country implored the IAEA's governing body to condemn the Israeli strikes as a violation of international law. Concurrently, Iranian officials highlighted that recent missile launches towards Israel are in retaliation for the attacks.

The IAEA’s Grossi noted that while the strategic monitoring of Iran's nuclear sites remains ongoing, he expressed concern over the increased military actions which pose potential risks of radiological dangers. He highlighted that radiation levels off-site have not indicated unusual variations following the strikes.

Israel's military has claimed to have successfully dismantled critical components of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including various uranium processing facilities. In contrast to these assertions, Grossi indicated that certain underground facilities at Isfahan were not visibly affected.

Tensions continue to soar, with Iran's Foreign Minister condemning Israel's actions and calling for robust international support against what he termed aggressive assaults on Iranian sovereignty. At the same time, the Israeli military continues its operation aimed at undermining perceived threats from Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

This recent escalation comes in a backdrop where Iran’s nuclear operations have progressed beyond previously established limits set by the now-defunct 2015 nuclear agreement. Following the U.S. withdrawal from this deal in 2018 and subsequent sanctions, Iran has amplified its uranium enrichment activities, reaching alarming levels that could facilitate nuclear armament.