The Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on Monday that airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel targeted the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
اضافة اعلان
This claim contradicts the assessment of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who stated that the agency "so far" has "no indication" that nuclear facilities in Iran have been bombed.
Reza Najafi told reporters at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, where a special meeting of the Board of Governors was convened at Russia's request: "They once again attacked our peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday. Their justification that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie." When asked which facility he meant, Najafi replied: "Natanz."
The Strategic Importance of Natanz
Located about 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Tehran, the Natanz site houses both above-ground and underground laboratories that conduct the bulk of Iran's uranium enrichment. Prior to the conflict, the IAEA reported that Iran was using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium up to 60%—a short technical step away from the 90% weapons-grade level.
Conflicting Reports and Safety Warnings
In his address to the Board of Governors, Rafael Grossi emphasized that the agency has not yet detected any damage or attacks on nuclear sites, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant or the Tehran Research Reactor. He added that the IAEA is attempting to contact Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through its Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) but has received no response due to conflict-related communication disruptions.
Grossi urged military restraint, warning that the presence of active nuclear reactors and fuel storage sites in the region increases the threat to nuclear safety. He noted that no elevation in radiation levels has been detected in neighboring countries.
Attack on U.S. Administration
Ambassador Najafi also launched a verbal attack on U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of using "deception and misinformation" and describing the strikes as "illegal, criminal, and brutal." He called on the 35 member states of the Board of Governors to categorically condemn these attacks.
