Trending Now - Iran Claims Us-israeli Airstrikes Hit Natanz Nuclear Site

WHO:

Reza Najafi, Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA

U.S. President Donald Trump

35-member IAEA Board of Governors

WHAT:

Najafi alleged that airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeted the Natanz enrichment facility in Iran.

Grossi stated that “up to now” the IAEA has “no indication” that nuclear facilities in Iran have been hit.

Najafi described the U.S. actions as “unlawful, criminal and brutal.”

Najafi called for the IAEA Board of Governors to “categorically condemn” the attacks.

The Natanz site is a mix of above- and below-ground laboratories for uranium enrichment.

The IAEA reported that Iran enriched uranium up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The main above-ground enrichment building at Natanz, known as the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, was hit by Israel on June 13, 2025, leaving it “functionally destroyed.”

A U.S. follow-up attack on June 22, 2025, targeted Natanz’s underground facilities with bunker-busting bombs.

WHERE:

Natanz, Iran, located approximately 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Tehran.

IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

WHEN:

Allegations made on March 2, 2026 (Monday).

Israel attacked the Natanz facility on June 13, 2025.

The U.S. followed with an attack on June 22, 2025.

Grossi's statements were made during a special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on March 2, 2026.

WHY:

Najafi claimed the justification for the attacks was based on the “big lie” that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons.

Najafi accused the U.S. of using “deception and disinformation” to justify military actions.

HOW:

The IAEA attempted to contact Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities via its Incident and Emergency Center but received “no response so far” due to communication limitations caused by the conflict.

Grossi urged military restraint, highlighting the risks posed by operational nuclear power plants and research reactors in the region.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, Reza Najafi, Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA, alleged that recent airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeted the Natanz enrichment facility, which he described as “unlawful, criminal and brutal.” In response, IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that, “up to now,” there is “no indication” that the nuclear facilities in Iran have been hit, while Najafi called for the IAEA Board of Governors to “categorically condemn” these attacks. The Natanz site, which has been reported to enrich uranium up to 60%, faced significant destruction from Israeli airstrikes last June, and Grossi emphasized the need for military restraint in light of the risks posed by operational nuclear facilities in the region.