In a significant escalation of the conflict, Israel carried out a large-scale airstrike campaign on Friday, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion”, targeting approximately 100 locations across Iran. The strikes hit military installations and nuclear sites, including Natanz and Fordow, and reportedly resulted in the deaths of senior military figures and at least two nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi
Iran has confirmed that its Natanz nuclear facility sustained damage following Israeli airstrikes but denied any radiation leak or casualties. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), said the Israeli attacks caused “minor damage” to the Natanz nuclear facility and emphasised that “there is no cause for concern about the spread of radiation”. He confirmed that no one was harmed and noted that critical parts of the site remained intact. Kamalvandi also criticised what he described as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) “weak” response, urging the agency to take a firmer stance in line with its mandate.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, has offered to visit Iran following the Israeli airstrikes on nuclear sites, including Natanz. According to World Nuclear News, Grossi expressed to the IAEA board that “nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances” and that he was already in contact with Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of affected facilities. He noted that Iran had confirmed the Natanz enrichment site was impacted but that “there are no elevated radiation levels”. Grossi stated, “I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardises the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.”
The IAEA has not yet confirmed whether a visit to Iran will take place. Iranian authorities maintain that the Natanz site remains secure and operational, with no casualties or radiation release reported. Both sides have restated their respective positions, with Iran calling for a stronger international response and the IAEA offering technical engagement following the strikes.
