IAEA Confirms Israeli Strike Damaged Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Facility, Urges Restraint

Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Friday that Israel has launched a military operation targeting nuclear facilities in Iran, with the Natanz enrichment site reported as being impacted. The development has raised serious concerns over nuclear safety, security, and regional stability.
According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Iranian authorities have informed the agency that while the Natanz site was affected, there have been no detected elevations in radiation levels. Other major facilities, including Esfahan and Fordow, remain undamaged at this time.
“This development is deeply concerning,” Grossi said in a strongly worded statement issued from Vienna. “I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances.”
Citing past IAEA General Conference resolutions, including GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, Grossi reaffirmed that any armed attack on nuclear facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the IAEA’s own Statute.
The Director General warned of the potentially grave consequences of such actions, which could lead to radioactive releases extending beyond national borders. “The safety and security of nuclear sites is not only a national issue but a global one,” he emphasized.
In light of the escalating situation, Grossi called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint” and avoid further military action that could endanger nuclear infrastructure and civilian populations. He reiterated that diplomacy remains the only viable and sustainable path forward.
The IAEA confirmed it is maintaining direct communication with both Iranian and Israeli authorities, as well as with its on-ground inspectors. Ensuring the safety of agency personnel remains a top priority, Grossi said.
Just a day prior to the attack, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a new resolution on Iran’s safeguards obligations, reaffirming the importance of resolving nuclear-related disputes through diplomatic channels.
Grossi stated the IAEA is ready to provide technical assistance, including the deployment of nuclear safety and security experts, to ensure that all nuclear activities in Iran remain exclusively peaceful.
He also expressed his willingness to travel to the region at the earliest opportunity to assess the situation firsthand and assist in de-escalating tensions.
“The IAEA remains the only international platform where technical facts can rise above political rhetoric,” Grossi said. “We are ready to facilitate dialogue and ensure that nuclear facilities are protected in accordance with international law.”
As tensions flare, the IAEA’s role as a neutral arbiter in global nuclear governance is once again at the forefront, providing a critical space for engagement, verification, and de-escalation.