Iran accuses Israel of 'terrorism' after nuclear facility incident An electrical problem at the Natanz nuclear facility took place a day after the launch of new advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges
MEE and agencies Sun, 04/11/2021 - 18:25
Israeli public radio cited intelligence sources as saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site (AFP)
An incident at*Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was caused by an act of "nuclear terrorism", the country's nuclear chief Ali Akbar*Salehi*said, according to state TV, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators.
Israel's Kan public radio cited intelligence sources, whose nationality it did not disclose, as*saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site. There was no official Israeli comment on the incident.
Earlier on Sunday, the spokesman for*Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI) had*said that a problem with the electrical distribution grid of the Natanz site had caused an incident,*Iranian media reported.
The spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi,*said the incident caused no casualties or contamination.
The incident took place a day after Tehran launched new advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges at the site. The facility, located in the desert in the central province of Isfahan, is the centrepiece of*Iran's uranium enrichment programme and is monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN*nuclear watchdog.
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"While condemning this despicable move,*Iran emphasizes the need for the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency to deal with this nuclear terrorism and reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators,"*Salehi*said. He did not elaborate.
Asked about the incident, an IAEA spokesman*said by email, "We are aware of the media reports. We have no comment at this stage."
Kan Radio, citing the intelligence sources,*said the damage at Natanz was more extensive than had been reported in*Iran.
In July*last*year, a fire broke out at the facility, which*Iran*said was an attempt to*sabotage the country's nuclear programme.
In 2010, the Stuxnet computer virus, widely*believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel, was discovered after it was used to attack Natanz.
The incident at the Natanz facility comes amid efforts by Tehran and Washington to revive*Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with*major powers after former US President Donald*Trump abandoned it three*years ago.*Trump reimposed*sanctions that had been lifted on the Islamic Republic under the deal, and brought in*many more.
In reaction to the US sanctions,*Iran has gradually*breached*many restrictions imposed by the accord. The two nations laid out tough stances at indirect talks in Vienna last week on how to bring both back into full compliance with the deal.
On a visit to Israel on Sunday, US*Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not comment specifically*on*Iran after talks with his Israeli counterpart. Israeli officials have long threatened last-ditch military action against*Iran if they deem foreign diplomacy a dead-end.
Iran-Israel tensions
"The action taken against the Natanz site shows the failure of the opposition to*Iran's industrial and political progress to prevent the significant development of*Iran's nuclear industry,"*Salehi*said.
"To thwart the goals of those who commanded this terrorist act ...*Iran will continue to improve its nuclear technology on the one hand and to lift oppressive US*sanctions on the other hand," he*said.
Iran has blamed Israel for last*year’s killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was seen by Western intelligence services as the*mastermind of a covert*Iranian nuclear weapons programme.
Tehran has denied seeking to build a nuclear bomb.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the killing.
President Hassan Rouhani reiterated*Iran's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation on*Saturday while overseeing the launch of advanced centrifuges at the Natanz plant to*mark the country's National Nuclear Technology Day.
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