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Israel’s strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility caused radioactive contamination, said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. Iran reported attacks on Fordow and Isfahan and vowed to respond.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi. (Photo/AP)
Israel’s strike on an Iranian nuclear facility was causing “radioactive and chemical contamination”, said International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on Friday to the United Nations Security Council.
“Israel destroyed the above-ground part of the Natanz nuclear facility. There are no indications of damage to the underground enrichment facilities at the site, but the power outage may have affected the centrifuges. There is radioactive and chemical contamination at the site,” Grossi said.
“At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan facility,” he told the 15-member council.
“At this moment, we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has been taking place around these facilities as well,” he added.
Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity at the Natanz pilot plant, nearing the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material. The Fordow site, located deep within a mountain, produces more material and would be challenging for Israel to destroy through bombardment, according to military experts, Reuters reported.
Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure on Friday, utilising warplanes and drones to attack key facilities, resulting in the deaths of top generals and scientists. In response, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel late Friday, with explosions reported over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, shaking buildings in the area.
Requesting the Security Council meeting, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “Israel has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished.”
“Iran reaffirms its inherent right to self-defence as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and will respond decisively and proportionately to these unlawful and cowardly acts,” Araghchi wrote in a letter.
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