ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The above-ground pilot enrichment facility at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed Friday during an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
*Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that Iran is also reporting **attacks on two additional nuclear sites* — the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and a facility in Isfahan.
“At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan,” Grossi told the 15-member council.
> “At this moment, we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has taken place around these facilities as well.”
The confirmation comes amid a sharp spike in regional tensions following Israeli military strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Natanz: A Key Component of Iran’s Nuclear Program
The *Natanz Nuclear Facility*, officially named the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan Nuclear Complex, is one of Iran’s most strategically important enrichment sites. Located in Isfahan Province near the city of Natanz, the complex plays a central role in the country’s uranium enrichment efforts.
The site includes both an above-ground pilot plant and a deeply buried underground facility, which is reinforced with thick concrete barriers and sits approximately *40–50 meters below ground*. Designed to withstand aerial and missile strikes, the underground halls are among the most fortified nuclear sites in the region.
The existence of the facility was first disclosed in 2002 by the *People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran*, drawing immediate international attention and subsequent monitoring by the IAEA. Natanz has remained a focal point in nuclear negotiations and tensions between Iran and global powers.
Fallout from the Attack
The reported destruction of the above-ground plant follows explosions confirmed by *Reuters* near the facility earlier this week, part of what observers believe is a broader Israeli campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear and missile development capabilities.
While the *full extent of the damage* and its implications for Iran’s enrichment capacity remain unclear, the attack has reignited international concerns over the risk of wider conflict and nuclear proliferation.
Grossi warned that nuclear facilities *must never be military targets*, citing their potential to unleash catastrophic consequences for both regional and global security.
“Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and international peace,” Grossi emphasized.
Rising Tensions and International Response
As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, the international community has expressed growing alarm. Calls for restraint and diplomatic resolution have emerged from multiple world leaders, amid fears of a broader regional war.
The situation is being closely monitored by the IAEA, which is in contact with Iran’s regulatory authorities to assess the status of affected sites. Grossi said he is prepared to visit the region to support non-proliferation and ensure safety at nuclear facilities.
“We must safeguard peace and security through transparency and dialogue, not destruction,” Grossi concluded.
