IAEA Sees No Damage to Iran Nuclear Sites

VIENNA: (Web Desk) –  The International Atomic Energy Agency has found no evidence that recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran targeted its nuclear facilities, the agency’s chief, Rafael Grossi, told the 35-nation Board of Governors on Monday.

Grossi emphasized that, to date, what remains of Iran’s atomic installations — some of which were attacked in June — appears largely untouched in the current campaign. “We have no indication that any of the nuclear installations … have been damaged or hit,” he said, adding that the IAEA has not been able to reach its counterparts in Iran, which has restricted access to the bombed sites since June.

“Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities … continue, with no response so far. We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be re-established as soon as possible,” Grossi added.

Over 650 Pakistanis evacuated from Iran amid US-Israeli air strikes

Shortly after Grossi’s remarks, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, told reporters outside the closed-door meeting that the Natanz nuclear complex had been targeted in the latest strikes. Natanz houses two uranium-enrichment plants — an above-ground plant destroyed in June and an underground facility badly damaged — along with other installations.

Najafi described the attacks as targeting “Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities” and confirmed that Natanz was hit again, without providing further details.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel and the U.S. have cited as a key justification for military action, alleging Tehran is approaching the capability to produce an atomic weapon.