UN Nuclear Agency Disputes Iran’s Claims About Strike on Natanz Facility

The International Atomic Energy Agency says it has no evidence that recent Israeli and U.S. strikes damaged Iran's nuclear facilities, contradicting Iran's claims that the Natanz complex was targeted. The nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi acknowledged limited communication with Iranian officials following the attacks.

The head of the United Nations nuclear monitoring organization stated Monday that there’s no evidence recent strikes by Israel and the United States damaged Iran’s nuclear installations, contradicting Iranian officials who claim the Natanz facility was attacked.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, addressed the organization’s 35-member governing board, saying Iran’s nuclear program has been cited as justification for the military operations by Israel and the U.S., who contend Iran is advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.

However, Iran’s atomic installations appear to have avoided significant damage in the current round of attacks, unlike the June strikes that severely impacted nuclear facilities.

“We have no indication that any of the nuclear installations … have been damaged or hit,” Grossi told the Board of Governors meeting.

The IAEA chief revealed that his organization’s emergency response team has struggled to maintain contact with Iran’s nuclear oversight authorities, though some communication with Iranian officials continues.

“We are, of course, in conversation with Iran, but at the moment, it’s very limited. Until last Thursday, it was very intense,” Grossi explained during a news briefing, noting that while no IAEA personnel are currently stationed in Iran, the agency is monitoring developments through satellite surveillance.

Iran has prevented IAEA inspectors from returning to facilities damaged in the June bombardment.

Shortly after Grossi’s presentation, Iran’s IAEA representative Reza Najafi contradicted the assessment, telling journalists that strikes had targeted the Natanz nuclear site.

“Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Najafi declared. When asked by reporters to specify which installations were struck, he responded “Natanz” before departing.

The Natanz location previously contained two uranium processing facilities that sustained damage during June attacks – a surface-level plant that the IAEA determined was completely destroyed, and a subterranean facility that suffered extensive damage.

When questioned about the Iranian ambassador’s statements, Grossi maintained his position during the subsequent news conference.

“I will not get into a polemic on that. We stand by what I said before. We haven’t seen major military activity targeting the nuclear facilities. We have been looking at different satellite images,” he stated.

“There might be something there, but not significant or comparable in any way to what we saw last time.”

Grossi had participated in recent diplomatic discussions in Geneva, where Oman facilitated negotiations between Iranian and American representatives regarding nuclear issues.

“An understanding eluded the parties this time. I am sure we are, quite understandably, feeling a strong sense of frustration,” Grossi informed the governing board.

The IAEA director encouraged renewed diplomatic efforts while reaffirming the agency’s assessment that Iran shows no credible signs of operating a coordinated nuclear weapons development program. Iranian officials continue to deny any military objectives in their nuclear activities.