The Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility in Iran. Source: File Photo / AP
The United Nations nuclear watchdog has confirmed that Iran's nuclear power plants were left untouched after the recent attacks in the Middle East region. Reports emerged late Thursday that Israel had carried out the strike in retaliation for Iran.
The incident became a concern after several explosions were heard near a major Iranian air base in Isfahan. In response, Iran deployed air defense batteries and grounded flights in many parts of the country.
The attack comes days after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones into Israeli territory. Tensions between Iran and Israel began to escalate following a devastating attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Israel was accused of being behind the incident.
IAEA assures Iran's nuclear power plants are safe
Hours after the reports began to emerge, the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) clarified that Iran's nuclear facilities were safe.
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Croci, urged both sides to exercise strict restraint. „IAEA can confirm that there was no damage to #Iran's nuclear sites,” the international organization wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.
„DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for strict restraint from everyone and reiterates that nuclear power plants should never be a target in military conflicts. The IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely,” the statement added.
The sounds of the air defense system drowned the skies of Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday without explanation. Later, Iranian media confirmed that an explosion had been heard near the airport in Isfahan.
However, Iranian news agency Fars later revealed that air defense systems in Isfahan had been activated against „an object suspected to be a drone”. It said three explosions were heard near a military base northwest of the city.
The Iranian province of Isfahan is located 350 km south of the capital Tehran. It is considered a strategically important region and is home to several of Iran's nuclear sites and a large military air base.
The nearby city of Natanz is one of Iran's nuclear enrichment sites and has been repeatedly targeted by Israel in the past.
Amid the confusion, Iranian officials said no missiles had been fired into the region and that its officials were able to shoot down three drones. Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
No 'immediate plans' for revenge
Lacking information on the matter, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had „no immediate plan” to retaliate.
“The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion is leaning towards infiltration rather than attack,” an unnamed Iranian official told the news agency.
with inputs from agencies.
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