VIENNA/TEHRAN — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site was among the targets hit in a recent strike, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.
In a statement on Friday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said the agency is “closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran” and has been in contact with both Iranian authorities and its on-site inspectors.
“The Agency can confirm that the Natanz site was among the targets,” Grossi said. “We are in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels and are coordinating with our inspectors on the ground.”
The IAEA’s confirmation follows a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the military had launched “Operation Rising Lion”, striking several high-value Iranian targets, including Natanz—described by Netanyahu as the “core” of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—and locations linked to its ballistic missile programme.
Located around 250 kilometers south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s primary uranium enrichment facility, equipped with thousands of centrifuges. It has long been a focal point in global nuclear diplomacy and the target of multiple sabotage incidents, including cyberattacks and explosions in previous years.
While the IAEA has not reported any abnormal radiation levels, it said investigations were ongoing.
“We are continuing to collect data to assess the extent of the damage and determine any potential risks to the safety and security of nuclear materials,” the agency stated.
Iranian authorities have yet to release a detailed assessment of the damage. However, state media acknowledged that “multiple locations were targeted by hostile foreign action”, without naming Israel directly.
The alleged strike marks one of the most significant attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure in recent years, raising the risk of broader regional confrontation. It comes amid a sharp rise in covert operations, cyberwarfare, and military posturing between the two longtime adversaries.
Diplomatic sources say the UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session in the coming days to address the incident. Meanwhile, international observers have urged restraint and renewed dialogue to avoid further destabilization in the Middle East.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful, while Western powers, particularly the United States and Israel, have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability—allegations Tehran denies.
As developments unfold, global attention remains fixed on the potential fallout from this latest escalation, and the implications it could have for regional and global security.
