IAEA Director General Reports 'Radiological and Chemical Contamination at Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility'

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that radiological and chemical contamination has occurred inside the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran's uranium enrichment hub.

According to Reuters on the 13th (local time), Director General Grossi reported to the United Nations Security Council that the surface-level enrichment facility at Natanz had been destroyed.

He added that, although there was no sign that the underground enrichment facility at Natanz had been attacked, the centrifuges could have been damaged as a result of attacks on the power grid. He also reported that radiological and chemical contamination had occurred inside the Natanz facility.

However, he explained that the internal contamination can be managed with radiation protection measures.

Located in central Iran, the Natanz nuclear facility is the core of Iran's nuclear program and has long been suspected of producing highly enriched uranium that can be converted for weapons use.

The Natanz facility came to international attention in 2002, following disclosure by an Iranian opposition group, and has since been subject to IAEA inspections. Because of this, it has previously been ranked as Israel's number one target for attacks.

Grossi also mentioned that Iranian authorities have notified the IAEA that the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and other facilities in Isfahan have also come under attack.

He stated, “Currently, aside from information indicating there has been military activity around these facilities, no further information has been obtained.”

He continued, “The IAEA stands ready to dispatch experts to Iran to ensure the full protection and peaceful utilization of nuclear facilities,” stressing, “nuclear facilities should never be targets of attacks.”

Reporter Sam Ko at Hankyung.com, jsk@hankyung.com