Natanz nuclear facility hit by airstrike; Iran reports no radioactive leakage at enrichment site
Tehran: The official Iranian news agency Mizan reported Saturday that an airstrike hit the Natanz nuclear facility, the country’s primary uranium enrichment site. Authorities stated that the facility's safety systems prevented any radioactive leakage.
The strike on the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan complex, located approximately 225 kilometres (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, occurred during the early morning hours of March 21. While Mizan and other state-affiliated outlets like Tasnim attributed the attack to the United States and Israel, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran emphasised that technical assessments found no environmental hazard to surrounding populations.
History of Attacks
Natanz has been a recurring target during the current 22-day conflict, which began following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, 2026. Satellite imagery from the first week of the war previously showed significant damage to several surface buildings. At that time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that "no radiological consequence" was expected from the damage.
The facility has a long history of being targeted by Western and Israeli forces:
- June 2025: Natanz was hit during a 12-day localised war between Iran and Israel.
- Ongoing Conflict: Recent satellite photos from March 7 and March 19 have shown the regime attempting to fortify the site, including constructing roofs to conceal underground tunnel portals.
With inputs from AP