IAEA confirms Natanz damage: Israel’s strike hits nuclear site but underground survives

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Israel’s recent airstrike severely damaged the above-ground section of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, a key site in Tehran’s nuclear program, while the underground chambers remained intact.

This unprecedented pre-emptive attack involved 200 Israeli fighter jets targeting multiple nuclear sites across Iran, killing several key Iranian military figures and escalating regional tensions.

"The above-ground part of the Natanz plant had been destroyed but noted no apparent damage to its underground chambers," the IAEA reported.

The strike has sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices spiking from approximately $68 to $75 per barrel, reflecting fears of disruption from Iran, the world’s seventh-largest oil producer, which outputs over 4 million barrels daily.

"Yesterday’s attack sent oil prices soaring from roughly $68 per barrel to $75," highlighting the immediate economic impact.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the operation a “real blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and warned of future airstrikes over Tehran, asserting Israeli air superiority.

"In the very near future, you will see Israeli air force jets over the skies of Tehran," Netanyahu said, emphasizing the government’s resolve.

Iran’s leadership, however, remains defiant, threatening a “more severe and powerful response” and warning of potential escalation involving Israeli allies.

The attack has rattled global markets and heightened fears of a broader Middle East conflict, with U.S. stocks falling and volatility indexes rising amid uncertainty.

This strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with the international community closely monitoring developments to prevent a wider war.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Israel’s strike damaged the above-ground Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, but the underground chambers survived. Israel’s unprecedented attack involved 200 fighter jets targeting multiple sites, escalating tensions and causing oil prices to surge amid fears of wider Middle East conflict.