Two Iranian Nuclear Sites In Karaj Destroyed After Israeli Strikes, Says UN Atomic Body

These facilities were used to manufacture key parts for centrifuges, which are crucial in the uranium enrichment process

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Smoke plumes billow following an overnight Israeli strike on Tehran on June 17, 2025. (AFP photo)

The UN’s atomic watchdog said that two sites in Iran used to produce centrifuge components for its nuclear programme were destroyed in Israeli strikes near Tehran on Wednesday.

In a social media post on X Wednesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that both buildings, located in the Karaj area just outside the Iranian capital, had been completely destroyed.

These facilities were used to manufacture key parts for centrifuges, which are crucial in the uranium enrichment process. This process can be used to generate fuel for nuclear reactors or, at higher levels of enrichment, material for nuclear weapons.

The agency on X wrote, “The IAEA has information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit. Both sites were previously under IAEA monitoring and verification as part of the JCPOA," referring to the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

In a separate attack within Tehran, “one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested," the IAEA added.

These announcements followed earlier statements from the Israeli military, which claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes targeting nuclear-linked sites in and around Tehran.

Natanz Nuclear Site Suffered ‘Direct Impacts’

Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, the IAEA also reported new findings from Israeli strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facility at Natanz, carried out last Friday. “Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz. No change to report at Esfahan and Fordow," the agency had said in a post on X.

Radiation levels outside Natanz, however, remain at normal levels. The agency had also said there was no radiological impact on the population or the environment. Inside the facility, though, it noted both radiological and chemical contamination.

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The agency had further warned that uranium compounds, such as uranium hexafluoride, may have been dispersed and could pose health risks if inhaled or ingested.

(With inputs from agencies)

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News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published:
June 18, 2025, 16:53 IST