Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility hit in US-Israeli strikes, atomic energy organisation says

The United States and Israel struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in an airstrike on Saturday (Mar 21), the Islamic Republic’s atomic energy organisation said. This comes as the war in West Asia enters its fourth week. According to a statement carried by Iranian media, the facility’s enrichment complex was targeted in a morning attack.

“Following the criminal attacks by the United States and the usurping Zionist regime against our country, the... Natanz enrichment complex was targeted this morning,” the organisation said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency. It added that there was “no leakage of radioactive materials reported” in the area in central Iran.

According to Associated Press, Natanz, Iran’s main enrichment site, was also struck in the first week of the war. Satellite images revealed damage to several buildings of the facility following the attack. In a statement, the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the damage from earlier strikes, saying that “no radiological consequence” was expected.

IAEA calls for ‘military restraint’

Following the attack on the nuclear facility, the IAEA said that it was looking into a report by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked during the war. It also called for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident.

“The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report,” the watchdog said in a statement on X. “IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident.”

Iran war enters 22nd day

This comes as the conflict in West Asia has entered its 22nd day on March 21. Hostilities began on February 28 when the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan. Iran has ruled out any possibility of a ceasefire, while US President Donald Trump has claimed victory multiple times, suggesting that the objective is nearly met. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its operations in Lebanon, targeting Iran’s ally Hezbollah and has ruled out diplomacy with the Lebanese government.
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.