Khaberni - An independent institute for political studies revealed that satellite images captured what appeared to be the first known attacks on an Iranian nuclear site since the beginning of the American-Israeli strikes.
The Institute for Science and International Security said on Monday that images captured by Colorado-based "Vantur" showed two strikes at the entry points to the underground uranium enrichment facility at the Natanz site, which was targeted by the United States in June, according to Reuters.
Timing of the strikes
Former UN nuclear inspector and founder of the institute, David Albright, explained that it appears the strikes occurred sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning local time, based on the satellite images viewed by the institute.
Albright was unable to determine whether it was the United States or Israel who bombed the Natanz complex, one of the main facilities of Iran’s nuclear program.
It seems that the findings Albright reached confirm a previous statement by Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, that the Natanz site was struck on Sunday. He also questioned a statement by the head of the atomic agency, Rafael Grossi, denying any evidence of nuclear site bombardments.
Albright speculated that Grossi relied on images captured before those obtained by the institute.
Destruction of 3 Buildings
According to Albright's report, "Vantur" images showed the destruction of 3 buildings in Natanz. Two of them were employee entrances to two underground halls containing thousands of centrifuges, which are machines that enrich uranium for use in power plants or weapons manufacturing, depending on the duration.
The report also mentioned that although both halls were rendered inoperable due to the American attack in June, the strikes might indicate the presence of "repairable centrifuges" or other related equipment at the locations.
It added that the third destroyed building covered the only ramp that vehicles could use to reach the two underground halls.
Firm Position
It should be noted that Grossi said in a statement before a meeting of the 35-member state governing board of the agency that there is nothing to suggest that "any of the nuclear facilities... have been damaged or attacked".
Then, moments after Grossi's comments, Najafi told reporters outside the building that the Natanz site had been attacked.
Furthermore, Grossi during a press conference mentioned that the agency's crisis response center had been unable to reach the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities, but had made some contacts with Iranian officials. He added that the agency currently has no staff in Iran, but is closely monitoring satellite images.
In response to questions about Najafi's statements, Grossi expressed a firm stance in his subsequent press conference, stating: "I will not engage in an argument about this topic. We adhere to what I have said before".
It is noted that Tehran has not allowed the agency to return to its facilities that were bombed since last year's attack.
