The ‘Rising Lion’ business Israel aims to destroy his nuclear program Iran aimed at critical facilities.
Specifically, Israel struck three basic nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo, killing 9 nuclear scientists working in nuclear technology research and development programs.
As CNN reports the size of the damage and whether the Iranian nuclear program can survive It remains unclear. An Israeli military official said the attacks on Natanz and Isfahan had caused “significant” damage. Tehran on its part downgraded the blow, but he confirmed the death of nine nuclear scientists.
Iran continues to insist that the His program is peaceful. Here’s what we know about the damage to the three nuclear facilities.
Natanz
Initial estimates show that Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz were extremely effective, far exceeding surface damage to external constructions and interrupting electricity to the lower levela where the centrifuges used to enrich uranium are stored.
The raids have destroyed the underground part of the Natanz fuel enrichment plant, an extensive facility operating since 2003 and where Iran enriches heaven in purity of up to 60%, according to the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA). Heavenly suitable for weapons is enriched at 90%.
Basic electricity infrastructures were also destroyed, including emergency generators, according to IAEA.
The electrical infrastructure in Natanz –including the main electricity supply building as well as emergency generators and backup generators– It was also destroyed, the IAEA said. This assessment is backed by the two US officials, who told CNN that electricity was interrupted at the lower levels where centrifuges used to enrich uranium are stored.
Natanz has six underground buildings and three underground buildingstwo of which can house 50,000 centrifuges, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) organization. Centrals are machines that can enrich heaven by rotating the gas at high speeds.
There is no indication of extensive radioactive pollution in the Natanz facility. “Radioactivity levels outside the installation remain normal,” IAEA said. However, radiological and chemical infections were found in the facilities – at levels that are considered manageable.
Isfahan
The image of damage to Isfahan is confused, as Iran claims it was limited. According to the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, Behrouz Kamalvandi, Part of the equipment was moved preventively, while a warehouse caught fire without a risk of leakage.
An Israeli Defense Forces official said during Saturday’s information that The installation suffered significant damage.
The installation in Isfahan was built with the support of China and opened in 1984, employs 3,000 scientists and is considered the “heart” of Iran’s nuclear program.
“There is three small research reactors provided by China”, as well as a “conversion facility, a fuel production unit, a zirconium investment unit and other facilities and laboratories,” the NTI said.
In a Saturday briefing, Israeli Defense Forces official said Israel had ‘specific information’ That Iran was “proceeding to the construction of a nuclear bomb” on Isfahan’s premises. Although he has significantly promoted uranium enrichment, Iran has repeatedly stated that his nuclear program has peaceful purposes and denied that he is developing an atomic bomb.
Fordu
The fuel enrichment plant located in Fordou is considered a particularly difficult target. The factory that is deep in the mountains near the in northern Iran, and houses advanced centrifugal machines used to enrich uranium.
Israel targeted the facility, but no damage was caused. Iran has announced that it was breaking an Israeli drone in the area.
Experts say that Fordo’s future may prove to be decisive for the outcome of the business.
In 2023, the Vienna International Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that Heaven particles were identified at 83.7% – approaching the 90% enrichment levels required for the construction of a nuclear bomb.
“If Fordu remains functional, Israel’s attacks may only delay the Iranian path to obtaining a bomb,” James Akton of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wrote. He noted that Israel may be able to destroy the band’s entrance, but its wider destruction will be extremely difficult.