The International Atomic Energy Agency, a Vienna, Austria-based watchdog that is part of the United Nations, confirmed on Friday morning that the Iranian nuclear site in Natanz was among the sites that Israel attacked.
“The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, the group’s director general.
“The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels,” he stated. “We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.”
The Atomic Energy Agency of Iran said the Natanz facility was damaged. It claimed there was no leakage of radioactive or chemical contamination outside the facility in Isfahan province, central Iran. It also said there were no reports of casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces’ Spokesperson’s Unit said that the facility, which it called Iran’s largest uranium enrichment site, had sustained “significant damage.”
“As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure.”
Other “critical infrastructure” in Iran’s nuclear program was also targeted, the IDF said.
Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ nonproliferation and biodefense program, said that Natanz has “two enrichment facilities, vast amounts of centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles including highly enriched uranium.”