The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, confirmed on Friday before the UN Security Council that Israel’s recent military strike on Iran caused significant damage to the Natanz nuclear facility. Grossi stated that the upper section of the plant, which housed Iran’s 60%-enriched uranium production, was destroyed, along with its electrical infrastructure. While the underground section remained intact, he warned that the loss of power may have compromised the site’s centrifuges.
Grossi reported the presence of radioactive and chemical contamination within the facility, though he emphasized it is currently manageable with proper protective measures. He added that radiation levels outside the site remain within normal parameters, suggesting no major external leak has occurred. The IAEA has requested further verification regarding additional reported strikes on other nuclear-related sites in Fordow, Isfahan, and near the Parchin military complex, where Iran has acknowledged surrounding explosions but denies structural damage.
Calling for restraint, Grossi stressed that nuclear facilities “must never be targeted, regardless of the context,” citing potential risks to human life and the environment. Iran has demanded emergency meetings of both the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors—set for Monday in Vienna—with backing from Russia. Grossi concluded by urging all parties to return to diplomacy: “The only sustainable path for Iran, Israel, and the international community is dialogue and cooperation to ensure peace and nuclear safety in the region.”
