IAEA confirms internal contamination after Israel airstrikes partially destroy Natanz nuclear facility

As the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that contamination had been detected inside the Natanz nuclear facility, following Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facility . The confirmation was delivered by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during his briefing to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Grossi noted that soon after the Israeli attack, Iran’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority shared the status of the nuclear facility with the international body.

IAEA leader has stated that at present, only the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant site has been attacked. It is pertinent to note that the facility contained a Fuel Enrichment Plant and a Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Grossi confirms the damage to the nuclear plant.

In his briefing, Grossi stated that at the Natanz nuclear facility , the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235, has been destroyed. “There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there,” the IAEA director said in the statement.

“The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event.”

“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 added.

Iran takes Israel to the UNSC

After the UNSC meeting, Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, slammed Israel’s latest attack while speaking to the reporters. “During the meeting, I made the following key points clear: We unequivocally and forcefully condemn Israel’s lawful and terrorist military aggression against Iran. Israel, the loudest and most violent regime in the world, committed these barbaric attacks with full intelligence, operational and political backing of the United States government,” Iravani told reporters after the UNSC meeting.

“Iran has also been the victim of systematic assassination of senior officials, scientists and civilians, a campaign of targeted murder that was latest and most basic principles of humanity. So far, 78 Iranians have been killed and more than 320 injured, the vast majority of them civilians, including women and children.”

“Let me be clear, Israel attacked safeguarded nuclear sites. This was a reckless criminal act that could have created a radiological catastrophe beyond Iran’s borders. Such an attack is not only a violation of the UN Charter, the status of the IAEA under its Proliferation Treaty, but it is a direct threat to regional and global peace,” he furthered. Throughout Friday, both sides hurled missiles at each other , causing significant damage in each other’s territories, and raising concerns about a wider West Asia conflict.