IAEA Chief Contacts Israeli President, Alleges Severe Damage to Iranian Nuclear Facility

Israeli President Isaac Herzog was contacted by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, after airstrikes hit Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. The Israeli presidential spokesperson shared this information with Fox News.

Grossi told Herzog that the facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports. 

Grossi stated that efforts are being made to communicate with Iranian nuclear safety authorities to understand the situation at nuclear facilities and to evaluate any potential effects on nuclear safety and security.

Authorities in Iran have informed that the Natanz enrichment site has been affected without any increase in radiation levels. They have also confirmed that the Esfahan and Fordow sites have not been impacted thus far.

“This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security,” Grossi continued. 

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025.  (Maxar Technologies/AP)

“This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels. As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure,” according to the IDF. 

People attend an anti-Israeli protest following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Friday, June 13, 2025.  (Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters)

“In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site’s continuous operation and the Iranian regime’s ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted,” it said. 

Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.