Israel’s attack on Natanz: IAEA chief Grossi confirms internal radiation; no external risks detected

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday confirmed that Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site caused internal radiological and chemical contamination.

However, radiation levels outside the facility remain normal and do not pose a threat to the public or environment, said IAEA director general Rafael Grossi in his statement to the UN security council."However, due to the impacts, there is radiological and chemical contamination inside the facilities in Natanz. The type of radiation present inside the facility, primarily alpha particles, is manageable with appropriate radiation protection measures," he said in his statement.Grossi revealed that the Israeli strikes destroyed the above-ground section of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, which was enriching uranium up to 60 per cent U-235. The attack also damaged electrical infrastructure, including both main and emergency power systems. Although the underground cascade hall appears undamaged, the loss of power may have affected the centrifuges inside.Iran informed the agency that only the Natanz site was directly hit, which includes the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant.

However, Iran also reported nearby attacks at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Esfahan complex, which houses several other nuclear facilities.The IAEA is in constant contact with Iran’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority to monitor the situation and assess the damage, said Grossi. A special task force has been established to monitor developments and update the UN Security Council as needed. Grossi expressed deep concern over the Israeli attack, reiterating that “nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances.”Following the strikes, Israel said that Iran was closer than ever to developing a nuclear weapon and described the attack as a necessary act of defence. Iran responded with missile strikes on Tel Aviv, prompting further Israeli counterstrikes.