Iran says ‘internal agents’ may be responsible for Natanz blast
4 years, 3 months ago

Iran says ‘internal agents’ may be responsible for Natanz blast

Al Jazeera  

President Rouhani’s administration hints at new possibility of sabotage at Iran’s key nuclear facilities. Tehran, Iran – The Iranian government said on Tuesday there are strong suspicions that “internal agents” played a role in a massive explosion that occurred at a key nuclear facility earlier this year. “One of the strong theories is based on internal agents being involved in the incident,” government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters at a news conference, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency. Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi also said “Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear capabilities”, adding to that end, “We take actions that are better left unsaid.” IAEA-Iran relations September’s announcement that Iran knows the saboteurs behind the Natanz explosion came one week after IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited the country. Iran, UN and the United States are locked in a major disagreement centred around the landmark 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers, which US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned in May 2018.

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History of this topic

Iran fires air defence batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site, after Israeli attack
8 months ago

Iran fires air defence batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site, after Israeli attack

New Indian Express  

DUBAI: Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country. In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has …

An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn’t reach it
1 year, 7 months ago

An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn’t reach it

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Near a peak of the Zagros Mountains in central Iran, workers are building a nuclear facility so deep in the earth that it is likely beyond the range of a last-ditch U.S. weapon designed to destroy such sites, according to experts and satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press. The photos and videos from Planet …

Iran says several arrested in nuclear facility sabotage plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Iran says several arrested in nuclear facility sabotage plot

The Hindu  

Iranian state television reported Monday that the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard arrested members of a “network" working for Israel that planned to sabotage Iran’s major underground nuclear facility at Fordo. The TV report came as months long negotiations in Vienna aimed at restoring Iran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers went on what their European hosts described as “a pause" after …

Iran explosion near Natanz nuclear facility a controlled test
3 years ago

Iran explosion near Natanz nuclear facility a controlled test

Al Jazeera  

No damage was incurred as part of the air defence test, according to Iranian media. Tehran, Iran – A loud explosion was heard near Iran’s main nuclear facilities in Natanz, which have previously been targeted by sabotage attacks, but state media said it was part of a controlled test. Nournews, an outlet close to Iran’s security forces, confirmed an air …

Analysis: Iran ups nuclear ante as Vienna deal talks resume
3 years ago

Analysis: Iran ups nuclear ante as Vienna deal talks resume

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — After a monthslong hiatus, Iran has returned to negotiations in Vienna aimed at reviving its cratered nuclear deal with world powers. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations body charged with monitoring the Islamic Republic’s program, acknowledged Wednesday that Iran began feeding a cascade of 166 advanced IR-6 centrifuges with uranium there. Tehran’s diplomatic …

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets
3 years, 6 months ago

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The outgoing chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service has offered the closest acknowledgment yet his country was behind recent attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear program and a military scientist. The comments by Yossi Cohen, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 investigative program “Uvda” in a segment aired Thursday night, offered an extraordinary debriefing by the head of …

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets
3 years, 6 months ago

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets

India Today  

The outgoing chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service has offered the closest acknowledgement yet his country was behind recent attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear program and a military scientist. The comments by Yossi Cohen, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 investigative program “Uvda” in a segment aired Thursday night, offered an extraordinary debriefing by the head of the typically secretive agency in …

Enrichment, Sabotage Cast Shadow Over New Iran Nuclear Talks
3 years, 8 months ago

Enrichment, Sabotage Cast Shadow Over New Iran Nuclear Talks

News 18  

Talks to save the Iran nuclear deal resume in Vienna Thursday amid new tensions, with Tehran preparing to ramp up uranium enrichment in response to an attack on a facility it blamed on arch-foe Israel. After a positive first round of negotiations aimed at resurrecting the 2015 agreement scuttled by Donald Trump, Iran’s push towards enrichment levels needed for military …

Rouhani says Iran will boost nuclear activity after Natanz attack
3 years, 8 months ago

Rouhani says Iran will boost nuclear activity after Natanz attack

Al Jazeera  

The president promises to boost uranium enrichment in response to the Natanz attack, which he says will strengthen Iran’s hand in nuclear talks. Isfahan’s Natanz facilities were hit with a large blackout on Sunday, the second attack in less than a year, in what Iran said was an act of “nuclear terrorism” orchestrated by Israel. Retaliation for Natanz attack Rouhani …

Iran blames Israel for Natanz nuclear plant blackout, vows revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for Natanz nuclear plant blackout, vows revenge

India Today  

Iran on Monday accused arch-foe Israel of sabotaging its key Natanz nuclear site and vowed revenge for an attack that appeared to be latest episode in a long-running covert war. Iran-US nuclear talks The incident occurred amid diplomatic efforts by Iran and the United States to revive Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, an accord Israel fiercely opposed, after …

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran blamed Israel on Monday for an attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges — sabotage that imperils ongoing talks over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal and brings a shadow war between the two countries into the light. While the nature of the attack and the extent of the damage at Natanz …

Iran blames Israel for nuclear plant outage, pledges revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for nuclear plant outage, pledges revenge

The Hindu  

Iran blamed Israel on Monday for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges and vowed it would take “revenge”. While the extent of the damage at Natanz remains unclear, a former Iranian official said the assault set off a fire while a spokesman mentioned a “possible minor explosion.” The attack also further strains relations …

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, warns of revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, warns of revenge

Firstpost  

Dubai: Iran blamed Israel on Monday for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged centrifuges it uses to enrich uranium, warning that it would avenge the assault. Sunday’s assault and Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh’s comments blaming Israel could imperil ongoing talks in Vienna with world powers about saving a tattered accord aimed at curbing Iran’s …

Iran calls Natanz nuclear enrichment site blackout 'nuclear terrorism'
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran calls Natanz nuclear enrichment site blackout 'nuclear terrorism'

ABC  

A blackout at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was an act of "nuclear terrorism", according to the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi. Key points: Multiple Israeli media outlets reported a cyberattack caused the blackout The incident took place a day after Tehran launched advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack While there was …

Iran’s nuclear sites attacked in 600 words
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran’s nuclear sites attacked in 600 words

Al Jazeera  

Recent sabotage at Iran’s Natanz facility threatens to upend nuclear negotiations, which began last week, and heighten regional tensions. Iran’s nuclear programme has been targeted in sabotage attacks over the last decade, the latest incident striking its underground Natanz facility. Nuclear sites Natanz, in Iran’s central Isfahan province, hosts the country’s main uranium enrichment facility. ‘Nuclear terrorism’ The head of …

Iran warns Israel it will take revenge after sabotage attack on Natanz nuclear facility
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran warns Israel it will take revenge after sabotage attack on Natanz nuclear facility

ABC  

Iran has blamed Israel for a sabotage attack that damaged centrifuges used to enrich uranium at its underground Natanz nuclear facility, warning it would take revenge for the assault. Key points: The event was initially described as a blackout caused by the electrical grid feeding its above-ground workshops and underground enrichment halls The incident took place a day after Tehran …

Iran’s Zarif blames Israel for Natanz incident, vows revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran’s Zarif blames Israel for Natanz incident, vows revenge

Al Jazeera  

Contrary to last year’s attack on Natanz, Iran has chosen not to shy away from directly blaming Israel and singling out its efforts to derail nuclear talks in Vienna. Tehran, Iran – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed revenge against Israel for an attack on Iran’s main nuclear facilities at Natanz but said it will not stop high-level talks to …

Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran on Sunday described a blackout at its underground Natanz atomic facility an act of “nuclear terrorism,” raising regional tensions as world powers and Tehran continue to negotiate over its tattered nuclear deal. Iran also blamed Israel for the November killing of a scientist who began the country’s military nuclear program decades earlier. “It’s hard …

Iran nuclear incident: Israel army chief appears to hint at possible role in Natanz facility blackout
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran nuclear incident: Israel army chief appears to hint at possible role in Natanz facility blackout

CNN  

Jerusalem CNN — Israel’s army chief has appeared to hint at possible Israeli involvement in an incident at the Natanz nuclear site in Iran, which was described as “terrorist action” by the head of Iran’s atomic energy agency. Just hours after Iranian officials reported the incident, Israel’s army chief Aviv Kochavi said the country’s “operations throughout the Middle East are …

Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's killing points to Israel's murderous game plan
4 years ago

Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's killing points to Israel's murderous game plan

The Hindu  

The assassination of MohsenFakhrizadeh, a high-ranking nuclear physicist who headed the Iranian Defence Ministry’s Innovation and Research wing, on November 27 on the outskirts of Tehran was done with the express purpose of provoking a new military confrontation in the region and permanently scuttling the United States-Iran nuclear deal. Fakhrizadeh’s assassination was planned to sabotage the stated goal of the …

Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site
4 years, 1 month ago

Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has begun construction at its Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show, just as the U.N. nuclear agency acknowledged Tehran is building an underground advanced centrifuge assembly plant after its last one exploded in a reported sabotage attack last summer. “Nothing in Iran regarding its peaceful nuclear program is being done in secret, …

UN watchdog: Iran building at underground nuclear facility
4 years, 1 month ago

UN watchdog: Iran building at underground nuclear facility

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Inspectors from the U.N.'s atomic watchdog have confirmed Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer, the agency’s head told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s nuclear department, last month told state television the destroyed above-ground …

Iran says sabotage caused explosion at Natanz nuclear site
4 years, 4 months ago

Iran says sabotage caused explosion at Natanz nuclear site

Al Jazeera  

Spokesman for Atomic Energy Organization says authorities will reveal ‘in due time the reason behind blast’ in July. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has said an explosion last month that damaged the country’s Natanz nuclear facility was the result of “sabotage”. “Security investigations confirm this was sabotage and what is certain is that an explosion took place in Natanz,” spokesman Behrouz …

What is behind these explosions and fires in Iran? Experts suggest some possible theories
4 years, 5 months ago

What is behind these explosions and fires in Iran? Experts suggest some possible theories

ABC  

First, it was forest fires. "In the summer of 2019, during two and half months, there were dozens of similar incidents — fires, explosions," said Dr Raz Zimmt, an Iran specialist at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran had been dealing with "thousands" of cyber attacks but denied they were causing the …

Analysis: Risks grow after blast hits Iran’s nuclear program
4 years, 5 months ago

Analysis: Risks grow after blast hits Iran’s nuclear program

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A mysterious explosion and fire at Iran’s main nuclear facility may have stopped Tehran from building advanced centrifuges, but it likely has not slowed the Islamic Republic in growing its ever-increasing stockpile of low-enriched uranium. The larger that stockpile grows, the shorter the so-called “breakout time” becomes — time that Iran would need to build …

Suspicions cyber sabotage behind fire at Iran nuclear facility, but Israel says it's 'not necessarily' involved
4 years, 5 months ago

Suspicions cyber sabotage behind fire at Iran nuclear facility, but Israel says it's 'not necessarily' involved

ABC  

A fire at Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility has caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium, an Iranian nuclear official said. Key points: Israel denies it was behind an incident at the Iranian facility, which caused significant damage but no casualties Iran has stepped away from the agreement requiring it to limit …

Fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility caused significant damage
4 years, 5 months ago

Fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility caused significant damage

Al Jazeera  

Iranian officials say incident could slow down the country’s development and production of advanced centrifuges. A fire that broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last week caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges, an Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday. No one was hurt in the mysterious blaze last Thursday at the site, said Behrouz …

Iran declines to disclose cause of fire at Natanz nuclear site
4 years, 5 months ago

Iran declines to disclose cause of fire at Natanz nuclear site

Al Jazeera  

Move comes as Iran’s civil defence chief threatens to retaliate if proof of a foreign cyberattack is found. Iranian investigators have determined the cause of a fire at the Natanz nuclear plant, a spokesman for Iran’s top security body said on Friday, while declining to immediately release details of the findings over “security reasons”. The National Security Council’s statement came …

Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility
4 years, 5 months ago

Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A fire and an explosion struck a centrifuge production plant above Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility early Thursday, analysts said, one of the most-tightly guarded sites in all of the Islamic Republic after earlier acts of sabotage there. Thank God, the site is continuing its work as before.” In Washington, the State Department said …

'Incident' damages construction near Iran nuclear site
4 years, 5 months ago

'Incident' damages construction near Iran nuclear site

The Hindu  

An “incident” damaged an under-construction building Thursday near Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, though it did not affect its centrifuge operations or cause any release of radiation, a spokesman said. The affected building, described as an “industrial shed,” was above ground and not part of the enrichment facility itself, said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization …

Fire damages building at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility
4 years, 5 months ago

Fire damages building at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility

Al Jazeera  

No casualties reported, officials say site operating as usual after incident at Iran’s main uranium enrichment site. A fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on Thursday but there were no casualties reported and the site is operating as usual, Iranian officials said. The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, Iran’s main uranium enrichment site, is one of several Iranian facilities …

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