The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has expressed serious concerns over possible radiological and chemical contamination at Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment center in Natanz. This follows a recent Israeli military strike targeting the facility. While radiation levels outside the site remain within safe limits, the situation inside the complex poses several hazards, especially involving radioactive and toxic materials.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed an emergency session of the agency’s board in Vienna on Monday. The meeting was called at Russia’s request to discuss the consequences of the Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. During his remarks, Grossi acknowledged the dangers within the Natanz compound but also sought to reassure the international community that no immediate radiological threat had been detected beyond the facility.
“The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event,” Grossi stated.
Despite the absence of external radiation risks, the IAEA chief highlighted a significant concern for workers and inspectors inside the facility due to the potential release of uranium hexafluoride gas. This compound is produced when uranium is mixed with fluorine during the enrichment process. Grossi explained that uranium hexafluoride is not only highly corrosive and reactive but also exceptionally hazardous if inhaled.
“The risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory protection devices while inside the facilities,” Grossi added.
He warned that the material’s chemical toxicity could pose serious health risks, especially because it can burn human tissue upon contact and is deadly if inhaled in even moderate amounts. Experts have also noted that the compound is highly volatile and can quickly spread if containment is compromised.
Grossi emphasized that the agency’s ability to fully assess the situation is being hindered by the lack of timely technical information from Iran. This data is essential to evaluate any environmental and health impact resulting from the strike. Without proper insight into the facility’s internal condition, the IAEA cannot effectively monitor the consequences or provide appropriate support.
“Amid these challenging and complex circumstances, it is crucial that the IAEA receives timely and regular technical information about the facilities and their respective sites,” Grossi said. “Without information, the U.N. agency cannot accurately assess the radiological conditions and potential impacts on the population and the environment and cannot provide the necessary assistance.”
Despite the operational difficulties, Grossi reassured the board that U.N. inspectors would remain in Iran. He noted that inspections would resume at the earliest opportunity once safety within the affected areas could be confirmed.
“U.N. inspectors would remain present in Iran and inspect the nuclear facilities as soon as safety conditions allow,” he stated.
The IAEA Director-General issued a stark warning about the broader implications of military actions targeting nuclear sites. He stressed that such operations could trigger unforeseen radiological events, with long-term consequences not only for the immediate area but also for global efforts to maintain nuclear safety and security. Grossi called for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
“Military escalation threatens lives, increases the chance of a radiological release with serious consequences for people and the environment and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon,” he warned.
At the same emergency meeting, Venezuela delivered a joint statement on behalf of several nations, including Iran and Russia. The group condemned the Israeli strike, calling it a violation of international norms and a threat to global security. The statement was made behind closed doors, and diplomats who were present shared its contents anonymously due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
According to these diplomats, the joint statement denounced what it described as “an unprovoked and aggressive act” against Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure. The coalition expressed support for Iran’s right to develop nuclear technology for civilian purposes under international oversight and called for restraint from all parties involved in the ongoing tensions.
Meanwhile, satellite imagery has provided a clearer picture of the physical damage inflicted on the Natanz site. Analysis conducted by The Associated Press using images from Planet Labs PBC revealed widespread destruction across several parts of the complex. Photographs taken on Saturday, shortly after the Israeli operation, show that multiple structures at the facility had been either significantly damaged or completely destroyed.
Among the affected structures were those identified by nuclear experts as essential for supplying power to the enrichment systems. These buildings play a crucial role in maintaining the functionality of the centrifuges and other machinery used to process uranium. Their loss could substantially hinder Iran’s enrichment activities, at least temporarily.
The attack and its aftermath come amid already heightened tensions between Iran and Israel over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and has taken preemptive actions in the past to disrupt what it views as a growing threat. Iran, on the other hand, maintains that its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes and remains under the scrutiny of international bodies such as the IAEA.
This latest strike further complicates the already fragile diplomatic landscape surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities. The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has been largely inactive since the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Efforts to revive the deal have stalled amid growing mistrust, regional tensions, and now, escalating military actions.
Grossi’s remarks also highlighted the precarious balance the IAEA must maintain in situations involving geopolitical conflict and nuclear oversight. The agency is tasked with ensuring nuclear safety and verifying compliance with international agreements, even in environments where political and military developments pose significant challenges.
The IAEA continues to advocate for a return to diplomacy and transparency, stressing that technical monitoring and access to sites are key pillars of its mission. Without them, the international community is left to speculate about the risks and developments inside facilities like Natanz, with limited tools to verify claims or intervene in a timely manner.
As the situation evolves, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of nuclear materials and the prevention of any release that could harm human populations or the environment. The IAEA’s call for renewed cooperation and de-escalation echoes the broader concern that military interventions near sensitive nuclear infrastructure could lead to unintended and possibly catastrophic consequences.
With no new damage reported at either Natanz or the Isfahan nuclear research site since Saturday, according to Grossi, attention now turns to whether all parties involved will take steps to reduce tensions and re-engage in dialogue.
He concluded his address by reaffirming the IAEA’s commitment to staying engaged in Iran and conducting thorough inspections once conditions allow, underscoring the importance of technical data sharing and peaceful resolution efforts in the interest of global nuclear safety.