The Israeli strikes were said to have seriously damaged Iran's nuclear program

Amid the ongoing nuclear escalation in the Middle East, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi made a serious statement regarding the damage caused by Israel’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to him, nearly 15,000 centrifuges at the famous underground uranium enrichment plant in Natanz have either been destroyed or severely damaged.

Power outage — a key factor

According to Grossi, the airstrike knocked out the power supply to the underground facilities, causing almost all centrifuges at the site to stop functioning. These high-speed devices, when deprived of power, ended up in a critical state, which either completely disabled them or inflicted irreparable damage.

Surface facility — completely destroyed

The above-ground part of the Natanz nuclear complex — the enrichment facility — has been completely destroyed. This was one of Iran’s main nuclear technology centers. According to the IAEA, damage to this facility could halt Iran’s nuclear program for a long time.

Fordow and Isfahan: different levels of impact

At the same time, it was reported that the underground Fordow nuclear plant was either not damaged or suffered only minor effects. However, the strikes on the Isfahan center caused significant destruction — the uranium hexafluoride conversion facility, the central chemical laboratory, the fuel production plant, and newly constructed metallurgical facilities were all damaged.

It was also noted that the underground uranium storage bunkers were not affected. This information was obtained via satellite, as IAEA inspectors have not yet had physical access to the sites.

How many weeks away was Iran from making a nuclear weapon?

According to Israeli intelligence, Iran was on the verge of creating a nuclear weapon, with all the necessary infrastructure fully operational. Grossi stated that the strikes have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by several years.

Conclusion: a new stage of threat?

The risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, regional security, and global political inequality have only increased. The IAEA emphasizes that for an objective assessment and a complete understanding of the situation, inspectors must be allowed access to the facilities. However, under current conditions, this remains dangerous and politically complex.

In the near future, the issue of restoring or eliminating nuclear sites will take center stage in international politics. The confrontation between Israel and Iran has ushered in a new phase of tension for the entire region. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!