Natanz Nuclear Facility

In February 2012, with the presence of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the then-president of Iran, the names of 5 nuclear centers and departments of Iran were changed to the names of five assassinated people. Natanz Nuclear Facility name was changed to "Shahid Ahmadi Roshan Nuclear Facility" in memory of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, who was assassinated on 11 January 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-3/690378-%DA%AF%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%88%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C |title=گشت‌وگذار در سرزمین هسته‌ای |work=شرق |trans-title=Excursion in the nuclear land |language=fa |access-date=4 November 2024}}

Before that, the name of this nuclear facility was the same as the nearby city, Natanz. It is still known internationally with the name "Natanz Nuclear Facility".{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%98%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%DA%AF-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF/a-15737013 |title=احمدی‌نژاد از "دستاوردهای بزرگ هسته‌ای ایران" خبر داد |agency=Deutsche Welle |trans-title=Ahmadinejad announced Iran's "great nuclear achievements" |language=fa |access-date=4 November 2024}}

The Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) covers 100,000 square meters that is built 8 meters underground and protected by a concrete wall 2.5 meters thick, itself protected by another concrete wall. In 2004, the roof was hardened with reinforced concrete and covered with 22 meters of earth. The complex has been described as being about three floors below ground,{{Cite web |title=Where are Iran's main nuclear sites and what does it use them for? |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-main-nuclear-facilities-long-israels-sights-2024-10-02/ |last1=Murphy |first1=Francois |date=22 June 2025 }} and consists of three underground buildings, two of which were built to house 50,000 centrifuges, about 14,000 of which are installed and about 11,000 are in operation, and six buildings above-ground, including two 25,000 square meter halls used for the assembly of gas centrifuges,{{Cite web |title=Natanz Enrichment Complex |url=https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/natanz-enrichment-complex/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=The Nuclear Threat Initiative |language=en}} as well as a number of administrative buildings.

The Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) is located within the complex which houses the FEP in a number of buildings above ground, and serves as a facility for research, development, testing and pilot enrichment.International Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, 31 May 2010, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iran/chronology-of-key-events{{Cite web |title=Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) |url=https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/pilot-fuel-enrichment-plant-pfep/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=The Nuclear Threat Initiative |language=en}} The facility began operation in 2003. It consists of one hall which is divided into a section for research and development and another for production, and can house 6 cascades of 164 centrifuges each. The PFEP is used by Iran to test new centrifuge designs. IAEA reports have documented the presence of IR-1, IR-2m, IR-3, IR-4, IR-5, IR-6, and IR6s centrifuges in the facility,International Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, August 2013, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iran/chronology-of-key-eventsInternational Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, 25 May 2012, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iran/chronology-of-key-events and as of November 2022 Iran was involved in testing IR-8, IR-8b and IR-9 centrifuges at the site.{{Cite web |date=22 November 2021 |title=Explainer: Iran's Centrifuges |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2021/nov/22/explainer-controversy-over-iran%E2%80%99s-centrifuges |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123081437/https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2021/nov/22/explainer-controversy-over-iran%E2%80%99s-centrifuges |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}

File:Atomanlage Natanz (2022).jpg-Natanz road]]

In 2002, the NCRI exposed the existence of an undisclosed uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, leading to concerns about Iran's nuclear program.{{cite book |title=Nuclear Safeguards, Security, and Nonproliferation: Achieving Security with Technology and Policy |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |year=2019 |pages=115–120}}{{cite book |title=The Trajectory of Iran's Nuclear Program |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2015 |page=148}}{{citation |last1=Friedrichs |first1=Gordon |title=Smart Security Council? Analyzing the effectiveness of targeted sanctions |date=February 2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zW5BgAAQBAJ&q=national+council+resistance+iran&pg=PA47 |publisher=Anchor Academic |isbn=978-3-95489-521-2}} This once secret site was one of the two exposed by Alireza Jafarzadeh in August 2002.

In 2003, after the Iranian government formally acknowledged the facilities, the Atomic Energy Agency inspected them, finding that they had a more advanced nuclear program than had previously been anticipated by U.S. intelligence.{{cite book |author=P. Clawson |title=Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2006 |isbn=978-1403962768 |chapter=Foreign Relations Under Khatami}} The initial discovery of the enrichment facility in Natanz, as well as Iran's refusal to fully cooperate with the IAEA, heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers.{{cite book |title=Nuclear Safeguards, Security, and Nonproliferation: Achieving Security with Technology and Policy |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |year=2019 |page=120 |quote=}}

In February 2003, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei visited the site and reported that 160 centrifuges were complete and ready for operation, with 1,000 more under construction at the site.{{cite web |author=Pike, John |year=2006 |title=Natanz [Kashan] |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/natanz.htm |access-date=28 May 2006 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}} During 2003, IAEA inspectors found particles of highly enriched uranium (HEU) at the Natanz facility.{{Cite web |title=Iran's Nuclear Facilities |url=https://www.atomicarchive.com/almanac/facilities/iranian-facilities.html |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=www.atomicarchive.com}} Iran claimed the material was contaminated by the supplier country, though Iran did not name it. In accordance with Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements to Iran's safeguards agreement that were in force up to that time, Iran was not obligated to declare the Natanz enrichment facility until six months before nuclear material was introduced into the facility.{{Cite web |last=Treverton |first=Gregory F. |date=May 2013 |title=CIA Support to Policymakers: The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/csi-intelligence-and-policy-monographs/pdfs/support-to-policymakers-2007-nie.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016191502/https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/csi-intelligence-and-policy-monographs/pdfs/support-to-policymakers-2007-nie.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2020 |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=Intelligence & Policy |publisher=Center for the Study of Intelligence}}

Enrichment of uranium at the plant was halted in July 2004 during negotiations with European countries. In 2006, Iran announced that it would resume uranium enrichment. In September 2007, the Iranian government announced it had installed 3 centrifuges at Natanz. In 2010, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was told by the Iranian government that future enrichment programmes would take place at Natanz, and they would start in March 2011.{{Cite news |date=15 October 2013 |title=Iran's key nuclear sites |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11927720 |access-date=25 November 2013 |work=BBC News}}

After the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran in August 2005, the regime reversed its cooperative stance with the IAEA, on 10 January 2006 Iran removed the IAEAs safeguarding seals from the facility and resumed uranium enrichment, introducing uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6) into centrifuges both in the FEP and in the PFEP.International Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, 28 April 2006, www.iaea.org; International Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of Security Council Resolution 1737 (2006) in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, 22 February 2007, www.iaea.org. According to the IAEA, in 2009 there were approximately 7,000 centrifuges installed at Natanz, of which 5,000 were producing low enriched uranium.{{Cite web |title=Institute for Science and International Security |url=http://www.isisnucleariran.org/assets/pdf/Iran_IAEA_Report_Analysis_5June2009.pdf |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314193945/http://www.isisnucleariran.org/assets/pdf/Iran_IAEA_Report_Analysis_5June2009.pdf |url-status=dead }} In August 2010, the IAEA said Iran had started using a second set of 164 centrifuges linked in a cascade to enrich uranium to up to 20% at its Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant.{{Cite news |date=9 August 2010 |title=IAEA: Iran Activates Enrichment Equipment |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11359906 |agency=Associated Press}}

In 2010, an Iranian announcement confirmed by the IAEA stated that the PFEP had begun to enrich uranium hexafluoride (UF6) to 20%.International Atomic Energy Agency, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran," Report by the Director General, 18 February 2010, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iran/chronology-of-key-events{{Cite web |last=Ram |date=8 February 2010 |title=Pressure grows for Iran sanctions over atomic plans |url=https://iranfocus.com/nuclear/19676-pressure-grows-for-iran-sanctions-over-atomic-plans/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=Iran Focus |language=en-US}} Starting in July of that year, Iran has been feeding UF6 into two interconnected IR-1 cascades of 164 centrifuges each, in the production hall. As of May 2013, Iran had produced 177.8 kg of UF6 enriched up to 20% in the PFEP. This development heightened concerns over a potential nuclear breakout, as a large stockpile of Uranium enriched to 20% would cut the time it takes to produce weapons-grade uranium by more than half. In April 2021 Iran began enriching UF6 to 60% at the PFEP, using IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges.David Albright, Paul Brannan, and Andrea Stricker, "Has Iran Initiated a Slow Motion Breakout to a Nuclear Weapon?" Institute for Science and International Security, 12 July 2010, www.isisnucleariran.org.

In January 2013, Fereydoun Abbasi from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said: "five percent uranium enrichment is continuing at Natanz, and we will continue 20 percent enrichment at Fordo and Natanz to meet our needs".{{cite news |date=9 January 2013 |title=Iran will continue 20% enrichment at Fordo, Natanz: official |url=http://tehrantimes.com/politics/104773-iran-will-continue-20-percent-enrichment-at-fordo-natanz |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205214408/http://tehrantimes.com/politics/104773-iran-will-continue-20-percent-enrichment-at-fordo-natanz |archive-date=5 December 2013 |access-date=25 November 2013 |work=Tehran Times}}

Daily inspection by the IAEA of the Natanz site was agreed as part of the nuclear enrichment reduction agreement made with the P5+1 countries in November 2013.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2013 |title=Iran nuclear deal: Key points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25080217 |access-date=25 November 2013 |work=BBC News}}

In July 2020, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran released photos of a building, presumed to be a centrifuge assembly facility, after a recent explosion. An unnamed Middle Eastern intelligence official later claimed that damage to the facility was caused by an explosive device.{{Cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Broad |first2=William J. |last3=Bergman |first3=Ronen |last4=Fassihi |first4=Farnaz |date=2 July 2020 |title=Mysterious Explosion and Fire Damage Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Facility |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/us/politics/iran-explosion-nuclear-centrifuges.html |access-date=3 July 2020 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In October 2020, the Center for Nonproliferation Studies released satellite images acknowledging that Iran had begun the construction of an underground plant near its nuclear facility at Natanz.{{cite web |date=28 October 2020 |title=Satellite photos show activity at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/28/satellite-photos-show-activity-at-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility |access-date=28 October 2020 |website=The Independent}} The International Atomic Energy Agency described this as the first steps toward building an advanced centrifuge assembly plant.{{cite web |date=28 October 2020 |title=Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site |trans-title=عکس‌های ماهواره‌ای ساخت و ساز در سایت هسته‌ای ایران را نشان می‌دهد |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-dubai-iran-iran-nuclear-2f6574ec6585a928e1417c184dbf5f65 |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=Associated Press News |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site |trans-title=عکس‌های ماهواره‌ای ساخت و ساز در سایت هسته‌ای ایران را نشان می‌دهد |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/satellite-photos-show-construction-at-iran-nuclear-site/2020/10/28/dba77cda-18e8-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030015735/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/satellite-photos-show-construction-at-iran-nuclear-site/2020/10/28/dba77cda-18e8-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=4 November 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}

In November 2020, the IAEA reported that Iran had started feeding uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into a newly installed underground cascade of 174 advanced IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz, which the JCPOA did not permit.{{Cite news |date=18 November 2020 |title=Iran feeds uranium gas into advanced centrifuges underground - IAEA report |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-iaea-int-idUSKBN27Y0W5 |access-date=18 November 2020 |work=Reuters |language=en}} In December 2020, the IAEA reported that Tehran "holds more than 12 times the amount of enriched uranium" permitted under the JCPOA, and that "work has also begun on the construction of new underground facilities close to Natanz, its main enrichment facility".{{cite news |date=1 December 2020 |title=Iran is alarmingly defiant over its nuclear ambitions |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/12/01/iran-alarmingly-defiant-nuclear-ambitions/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/12/01/iran-alarmingly-defiant-nuclear-ambitions/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}

In March 2021, Iran restarted enriching uranium at the Natanz facility with a third set of advanced IR-4 nuclear centrifuges in a series of violations of the 2015 nuclear accord.{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Francois |date=8 March 2021 |title=Iran enriching with new set of advanced machines at Natanz: IAEA |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-iaea-int-idUSKBN2B0262 |access-date=17 March 2021 |website=Reuters}}[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-enriching-uranium-with-new-machine-at-underground-plant-iaea-662235 Iran using advanced uranium enrichment at prior exploded facility] On 10 April, Iran began injecting uranium hexafluoride gas into advanced IR-5 and IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz, but the next day, a presumed accident occurred in the electricity distribution network.[https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/incident-reported-in-iranian-natanz-nuclear-facility-664792 'Accident' at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility after centrifuge activation] On 11 April, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the incident was due to a power failure and that there were no injuries nor any escape of radioactive material.{{Cite web |date=11 April 2021 |title=Electrical Problem Strikes Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_voa-news-iran_electrical-problem-strikes-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility/6204425.html |access-date=11 April 2021 |website=Voice of America |language=en}} Further details eventually emerged that the incident was possibly an attack orchestrated by Israel.{{cite web |title=Reports: Mossad Behind Iran Attack |url=https://hamodia.com/2021/04/11/reports-mossad-behind-iran-attack/ |access-date=11 April 2021 |website=Hamodia |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413213843/https://hamodia.com/2021/04/11/reports-mossad-behind-iran-attack/ |url-status=dead }}

On 14 April 2022, the IAEA said in a report seen by Reuters that Iran was starting to operate a new workshop at Natanz that would build parts for uranium-enriching centrifuges using machinery relocated from its now-closed Karaj plant.{{cite news |date=14 April 2022 |title=Iran is opening new centrifuge-parts workshop at Natanz -IAEA report |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-opens-new-centrifuge-parts-workshop-natanz-iaea-report-2022-04-14/ |access-date=17 April 2022 |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |agency=Reuters}}

On 29 April 2022, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Iran's new workshop at Natanz for fabricating centrifuge parts was set up underground, presumably to protect it from possible attacks.{{cite news |date=28 April 2022 |title=Iran moves centrifuge-parts workshop underground at Natanz, IAEA says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-set-up-centrifuge-parts-workshop-underground-natanz-iaea-says-2022-04-28/ |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |agency=Reuters}}

According to Iran Watch, as of October 2024, the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) was operating 36 cascades (clusters) of IR-1 centrifuges and 30 more advanced centrifuges of the IR-2m, IR-4 and IR-6 models, while the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) at Natanz was operating nearly 1000 advanced centrifuges of the IR-4 and IR-6 models,{{Cite web |title=Iran's Nuclear Timetable: The Weapon Potential {{!}} Iran Watch |url=https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/articles-reports/irans-nuclear-timetable-weapon-potential |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=www.iranwatch.org}} which are enriching uranium to 60%. There are several thousand IR-1 centrifuges in storage in Natanz, as well as a number of powerful centrifuges under development which contribute to the growth of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium. The accumulation and eventual deployment of large numbers of centrifuges would allow Iran to accelerate the production of nuclear fuel, and potentially allow further enrichment of weapons-grade uranium.{{Cite news |date=6 December 2010 |title=Iran's key nuclear sites |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11927720 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In November 2024, according to the Washington Post, satellite images showed that construction was underway at the Natanz Nuclear Facility.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

{{See also|Stuxnet|2020 Iran explosions#Natanz centrifuge assembly facility explosion|Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists}}

Natanz's nuclear power plant was hit by a sophisticated cyber attack alleged to have been carried out in an operation called Olympic Games by a coalition of German, French, British, American, Dutch and Israeli intelligence organizations.{{Cite news |last1=Zetter |first1=Kim |last2=Modderkolk |first2=Huib |date=2 September 2019 |title=Revealed: How a secret Dutch mole aided the U.S. - Israeli Stuxnet cyberattack on Iran |url=https://news.yahoo.com/revealed-how-a-secret-dutch-mole-aided-the-us-israeli-stuxnet-cyber-attack-on-iran-160026018.html |access-date=3 September 2019 |work=Yahoo News}} The attack used a Stuxnet worm which hampered the operation of plant's centrifuges and caused damage to them over time.{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |date=2 June 2012 |title=Mutually Assured Cyberdestruction? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/sunday-review/mutually-assured-cyberdestruction.html |publisher=The New York Times Company}} The alleged goal of the cyber attack was not to destroy the nuclear program of Iran completely but to stall it enough for sanctions and diplomacy to take effect. This alleged goal was achieved, as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear treaty with Iran was reached in July 2015.

Around 2 a.m. local time on 2 July 2020, a fire and explosion hit a centrifuge production plant at a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz.{{cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility |url=https://apnews.com/50c3e7f6445ae99def6bdc65fbce6c42 |website=Associated Press}}{{cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=Mysterious Explosion and Fire Damage Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Facility |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/us/politics/iran-explosion-nuclear-centrifuges.html |website=The New York Times}} A group known as the "Cheetahs of the Homeland" claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite web |date=3 July 2020 |title=Report: Israeli cyberattack caused Iran nuclear site fire, F35s hit missile base |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-israeli-cyberattack-caused-iran-nuclear-site-fire-f35s-hit-missile-base/ |website=The Times of Israel}} Some Iranian officials suggested that the incident may have been caused by cyber sabotage.{{cite web |date=3 July 2020 |title=Iran threatens retaliation after what it calls possible cyber attack on nuclear site |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-natanz/iran-threatens-retaliation-after-what-it-calls-possible-cyber-attack-on-nuclear-site-idUSKBN2441VY |website=Reuters}}

On 10 April 2021, Iran began injecting uranium hexafluoride gas into advanced IR-5 and IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz, but on the next day, an accident occurred in the electricity distribution network. On 11 April, IRNA reported that the incident was due to a power failure and that there were no injuries nor any escape of radioactive material.{{Cite web |title=Electrical Problem Strikes Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_voa-news-iran_electrical-problem-strikes-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility/6204425.html |access-date=11 April 2021 |website=Voice of America |date=11 April 2021 |language=en}} Reports alleged that Mossad had orchestrated the attack. On 17 April, Iranian state television named 43-year-old Reza Karimi from Kashan as a suspect for the blackout, stating that he had fled the country before the sabotage happened.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2021 |title=Iran state TV identifies man it says was behind blast at Natanz nuclear site |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-state-tv-identifies-man-it-says-was-behind-blast-natanz-nuclear-site-2021-04-17/ |access-date=17 April 2021 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=17 April 2021 |title=Iran Names Suspect in Natanz Attack, Says He Fled Country |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-17/iran-names-suspect-in-natanz-attack-says-he-fled-country |access-date=17 April 2021 |work=U.S. News & World Report}} In July 2021, Iran reportedly limited inspectors' access to the plant.{{Cite web |date=1 July 2021 |title=EXCLUSIVE Iran restricts IAEA access to main enrichment plant after attack -diplomats |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-iran-restricts-iaea-access-main-enrichment-plant-after-attack-2021-07-01/ |access-date=14 July 2021 |website=Reuters}}

{{main|Iran–Israel war|List of airstrikes during the Iran–Israel war#Nuclear facilities}}

File:Israeli Airstrikes on the Natanz Nuclear Facility during Operation Rising Lion.png

The Natanz Nuclear Facility was damaged on 13 June, the first day of the Iran–Israel war.{{cite web |last1=Campa |first1=Kelly |last2=Borens |first2=Avery |last3=Morrison |first3=Nidal |last4=Moorman |first4=Carolyn |last5=Schmida |first5=Ben |last6=Reddy |first6=Ria |last7=Ganzeveld |first7=Annika |title=Iran Update Special Report, June 17, 2025, Evening Edition |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-special-report-june-17-2025-evening-edition |website=Critical Threats Project |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=18 June 2025 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=17 June 2025}}{{Cite web |date=13 June 2025 |title=Live - Israel attacks Iran, Revolutionary Guards chief killed |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202506127881 |access-date=13 June 2025 |website=www.iranintl.com |language=en }}{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Brian |last2=Rezaei |first2=Ben |last3=Reddy |first3=Ria |last4=Borens |first4=Avery |last5=Schmida |first5=Ben |last6=Moorman |first6=Carolyn |last7=Parry |first7=Andie |title=Iran Update Special Report, June 16, 2025, Evening Edition |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-special-report-june-16-2025-evening-edition |website=Critical Threats Project |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=17 June 2025 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=16 June 2025}} The Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, a multi-story enrichment hall containing 1,700 advanced gas centrifuges, was destroyed with at least three explosive impacts visible in satellite imagery.{{Cite web |date=15 June 2025 |title=Satellite imagery reveals damage to key Iran nuclear sites |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7808xvv737o |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} 60% enriched uranium was being produced by the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at the time of the strikes.{{cite web |last1=Rezaei |first1=Ben |last2=Reddy |first2=Ria |last3=Campa |first3=Kelly |last4=Borens |first4=Avery |last5=Moore |first5=Johanna |last6=Carl |first6=Nicholas |last7=Parry |first7=Andie |last8=Ganzeveld |first8=Annika |last9=Carter |first9=Brian |title=Iran Update Special Edition: Israeli Strikes on Iran, June 13, 2025, 2:00pm ET |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-special-edition-israeli-strikes-on-iran-june-13-2025-200pm-et |website=Critical Threats Project |publisher=American Enterprise Institute |access-date=14 June 2025 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=13 June 2025}} An electrical substation feeding power to the Natanz Nuclear Facility was damaged causing a site-wide power outage. The delicate gas centrifuges in the underground Fuel Enrichment Plant were likely severely damaged or destroyed by this unexpected loss of power.{{cite web |last1=Gritten |first1=David |title=Centrifuges at Iran's Natanz site likely destroyed, nuclear watchdog says |date=16 June 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9yll5yjx5o |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=19 June 2025}} Direct impacts on the earth above the underground enrichment halls were visible in satellite imagery, but their significance remains unknown.{{cite web |author1=International Atomic Energy Agency |title=Iran: Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz. No change to report at Esfahan and Fordow. |url=https://x.com/iaeaorg/status/1934945205574385964 |website=𝕏 |access-date=18 June 2025 |location=Vienna and Iran |date=17 June 2025}} Air defenses around the facility were significantly damaged.{{cite web |last1=Rezaei |first1=Ben |last2=Campa |first2=Kelly |last3=Borens |first3=Avery |last4=Carl |first4=Nicholas |last5=Carter |first5=Brian |title=Iran Update Special Report, June 14, 2025, Evening Edition |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-special-report-june-14-2025-evening-edition |website=ISW Press |publisher=Critical Threats Project / Institute for the Study of War |access-date=15 June 2025 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=14 June 2025}}

{{main|United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites}}

{{see also|List of airstrikes during the Iran–Israel war#American airstrikes}}

On June{{nbsp}}22, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked Natanz Nuclear Facility. Two other Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, and Isfahan were also struck.{{Cite web |last1=Brennan|first1=Eve |last2=Tanno|first2=Sophie |last3=Lockwood|first3=Pauline |last4=Vogt|first4=Adrienne |last5=Powell|first5=Tori |last6=Meyer|first6=Matt |last7=Saltman|first7=Max |date=21 June 2025 |title=Israel claims killing of Iranian commander as conflict enters second week |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-conflict-06-21-25-intl-hnk |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Seven Northrop B-2 Spirit bombers flew non-stop from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and dropped two GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) bombs on Natanz, and 12 on the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.{{Cite web |last=Liptak |first=Kevin |date=22 June 2025 |title=Strikes on Iranian nuclear sites thrust US into escalating Middle East conflict |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/politics/trump-iran-air-strikes |access-date=23 June 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}} Submarines fired 30 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Natanz and Isfahan.{{Cite news |date=22 June 2025 |title=US B-2 bombers involved in Iran strikes, U.S. official says |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-b-2-bombers-involved-iran-strikes-us-official-says-2025-06-22/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}} This was the first combat use of the "bunker buster" MOP bombs.{{cite news |date=21 June 2025 |title=Israel-Iran live updates: Trump addresses nation after attack on Iranian nuclear sites |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-iran-live-updates/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |agency=ABC News}}{{dead link|date=June 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Videos/videoid/967677/dvpcc/false/#DVIDSVideoPlayer581|title=Hegseth, Caine Brief Media|publisher=Department of Defense|date=22 June 2025|accessdate=22 June 2025}}

• Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
• Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant
• Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
• Isfahan Nuclear Technology/Research Center
• IR-40
• List of power stations in Iran
• Nuclear program of Iran
• Supreme Nuclear Committee of Iran

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/natanz-enrichment-complex/ Natanz Enrichment Complex]
• [https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-natanz-uranium-enrichment-underground-project-04dae673fc937af04e62b65dd78db2e0 An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn't reach it]
• [https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/irans-natanz-tunnel-complex-deeper-larger-than-expected/8 Iran's Natanz Tunnel Complex: Deeper, Larger than Expected]

{{Energy in Iran}}

Category:1970s establishments in Iran

Category:Buildings and structures in Isfahan province

Category:Buildings and structures destroyed during the Iran–Israel War

Category:Nuclear facilities in Iran

Category:Nuclear power stations in Iran

Category:Nuclear power stations with proposed reactors

Category:Industrial buildings in Iran

Category:Subterranean buildings and structures

Category:Uranium enrichment facilities

Category:Natanz County