Iranian Authorities Confirm Sabotage At Nuclear Plant

The July 2nd fire at Iran's largest uranium enrichment facility, the Natanz nuclear plant, just 150 miles south of Tehran, caused severe damage to its central centrifuge assembly workshop, temporarily affecting production.

Without directly accusing Israel or the United States of responsibility, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO), linked the Natanz fire to Israeli sabotage, which damaged one of the warehouses under construction where uranium is enriched.

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Iranian authorities confirmed that uranium enrichment was not seriously affected and that the plant remains operational. The spokesman, who avoided naming the individuals directly responsible for the sabotage, said last month that the Persian nation would replace the damaged building with more advanced equipment, but recognized the fire would slow down production and development in the medium term.

In past weeks other Iranian officials have alleged the attacks were the result of cyber-sabotage and that Tehran would retaliate against any countries carrying out such attacks.