A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this file photo.
“There is internal radioactive contamination at Natanz, but no external radiation has been detected and there is no cause for concern,” the agency said in a statement carried by Al Jazeera on Friday. It said decontamination was underway and damage would be assessed once cleanup was complete.
The Natanz site is central to Iran’s uranium enrichment programme and has been repeatedly targeted in sabotage operations widely attributed to Israel.
Friday’s strikes formed part of a broader Israeli operation that hit multiple targets across Iran, killing senior military and nuclear officials, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian television later reported further Israeli strikes near the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz, calling them “an aggressive attack”. Tehran described the operation as a “declaration of war” and blamed both Israel and the United States, despite denials of involvement from Washington.
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said he was ready to travel to Iran to assess the situation. He confirmed that Iran’s Fordow enrichment plant and another nuclear site in Esfahan were not hit.
“There are no elevated radiation levels,” Grossi said, likely referring to external emissions. He urged all sides to avoid further escalation and return to dialogue.
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