The United States and Israel have struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility for the second time since the war began, Iran’s atomic energy organisation confirmed on Saturday. The attack targeted the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment complex, one of Iran’s most important uranium enrichment sites located approximately 220 kilometres southeast of Tehran. Iranian officials were quick to confirm that no leakage of radioactive materials was reported at the facility, a statement that offered some relief to a region already dealing with extraordinary levels of tension.
What Happened at Natanz
Iran’s atomic energy organisation said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that the Natanz enrichment complex was targeted in what it described as criminal attacks by the United States and Israel. The organisation confirmed that no radioactive materials had been released and that the situation was under control. The Natanz facility had previously been hit in the first week of the war, with satellite images at the time showing damage to several buildings. The UN nuclear watchdog said on March 3 that the site had suffered recent damage, a day after Iran said the underground uranium enrichment plant was attacked.
Russia Condemns the Strike
Moscow wasted no time in responding. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the latest attack on the Natanz facility, calling it a blatant violation of international law. Russia has maintained a consistent position throughout the conflict, opposing the US-Israel military campaign against Iran while stopping short of providing direct military support to Tehran. The condemnation reflects the broader diplomatic divide over the war, with the US and its allies on one side and Russia and China expressing opposition on the other.
Intensification Promised for the Coming Week
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Saturday, stating that this week will see a significant rise in the intensity of strikes carried out by the Israeli Defence Forces and the US military against the Iranian regime and the infrastructure on which it relies. The statement signals that the fourth week of the war will be even more intense than the preceding three, a prospect that has global energy markets and regional governments watching with deep anxiety.
Iran’s Nuclear Programme — What Is at Stake
Natanz is one of the crown jewels of Iran’s nuclear programme. The site contains underground centrifuge halls where Iran enriches uranium and has been a subject of international scrutiny and sanctions for years. The targeting of Natanz twice in four weeks represents the most direct assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure since the Stuxnet cyberattack more than a decade ago. Whether the strikes have significantly set back Iran’s nuclear programme or merely damaged surface infrastructure remains unclear.
For the full context on how the conflict began and where it stands read our coverage of Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and our article on UAE air defences intercepting over 2,000 Iranian missiles and drones.
