Iran’s FM Blames Israel for Natanz Blast; Nuke Program ‘Set Back 9 Months’

The explosion at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site on Sunday dealt a severe blow to the country’s ability to enrich uranium and could take at least nine months to restore, the New York Times reported Monday, citing American and Israeli intelligence officials.

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said on Sunday that a problem with the electrical distribution grid of the Natanz nuclear facility was caused by a “terrorist” act.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday said “the Zionists want to take revenge because of our progress in the way to lift sanctions … they have publicly said that they will not allow this. But we will take our revenge from the Zionists,” according to Iranian state TV.

His ministry’s spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, told a news conference on Monday that the incident could be considered as an “act against humanity.”

“There was no contamination or injuries but it could cause a disaster. It could be considered as an act against humanity,” Khatibzadeh said.

According to state TV, the agency’s chief Ali Akbar Salehi didn’t say who Tehran blames for the alleged cyberattack, but the New York Times report said Israel was behind the “large explosion that completely destroyed the independent — and heavily protected — internal power system that supplies the underground centrifuges that enrich uranium,” citing American and Israeli officials who remain anonymous.

Contrary to Iran’s initial explanation of the incident, which cited a cyber attack, the anonymous intelligence officials told the New York Times it was a detonation of explosives that caused the damage at Natanz.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that “The fight against Iran and its proxies… is a massive task. The way things are now doesn’t mean they will stay that way later on.”

The incident at Natanz nuclear site came the same day as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Israel, marking the first official visit by a U.S. official since President Joe Biden took office in January.

In a joint statement, Gantz pledged to cooperate with the United States on Iran, promising that Israeli security would be safeguarded under any renewed Iranian nuclear deal that Washington reaches.

“We will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel.”

In his public remarks, Austin did not comment on Iran specifically. He said the Biden administration would continue to ensure Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the Middle East as part of a “strong commitment to Israel and the Israeli people.”

“Our bilateral relationship with Israel in particular is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. During our meeting I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz our commitment to Israel is enduring and it is ironclad,” Austin said.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani 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.

The Natanz facility, which is located in the desert in the central province of Isfahan, is the centerpiece of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.

In July last year, a fire broke out at the Natanz facility, which the government said was an attempt to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program.

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.

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 program.

Tehran has denied seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the killing.

Reuters contributed to this report.

• Israeli cyberattack caused mysterious accident at Iran’s Natanz, previous reports indicate
• Iran’s atomic energy agency says Natanz facility hit by ‘nuclear terrorism’
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