This past weekend, a US strike on Iran reportedly caused significant damage to three key nuclear facilities, according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). During an emergency meeting, he mentioned that the extent of the damage has not been independently confirmed due to the ongoing conflicts in the region.
Grossi emphasized the need to stop hostilities in order to create a safe environment for IAEA teams to assess the situation on-site. He urged Iranian regulators to maintain communication with the agency during this time. “Our inspectors are still present in Iran, ready to take on their tasks as soon as there’s an agreement,” he noted.
The US conducted airstrikes targeting Iran’s uranium enrichment facility after President Trump allowed Tehran a two-week deadline to halt its nuclear program.
Iran’s atomic energy organization verified that the strike impacted three facilities: Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Grossi mentioned that Iran had informed the IAEA that radiation levels at these sites had not risen.
Fordow
Located deep in the mountains south of Tehran, the Fordow site has been a focal point in the conflict between Israel and Iran. The US strike aimed at eliminating this facility, but Iranian officials suggested the damage may not be as severe as claimed.
Grossi indicated that satellite images might reveal crater-like formations at Fordow, but actual assessment requires access for inspectors. He mentioned, “Currently, no one—including the IAEA—can fully assess the underground impact. We anticipate significant damage due to the explosives used and the sensitivity of the centrifuges.”
Earlier this month, Iranian officials had said they were prepared to implement special measures to protect their nuclear assets.
Isfahan and Natanz
Grossi reported that a US cruise missile hit a building at the Isfahan site. He noted that the affected structures were linked to the uranium conversion process and suggested that the attack may have targeted a tunnel used for storing concentrated materials.
The US had utilized a large “bunker buster” bomb on Fordow and launched tomahawk missiles at Isfahan and Natanz. The Natanz facility, which is Iran’s primary site for uranium enrichment, had already been struck in previous Israeli military operations prior to the US airstrikes.
Grossi confirmed that the fuel enrichment plant had been attacked and indicated the US’s use of “ground invasion ammunition.”
