Natanz nuclear facility damage seen in satellite images as IAEA reports no radiological risk

Satellite images released by Vantor show multiple damaged buildings and access points at Irans Natanz nuclear facility, including structures linked to personnel and entrances to the underground enrichment area. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the site sustained recent damage following US-Israeli strikes and expects no radiological consequences.

Fresh satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press showed multiple damaged buildings at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. The pictures, taken on Monday, also indicated broader harm across the complex when compared with images from the previous day. The damage followed a US-Israeli attack, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

Vantor, a Colorado-based imaging company formerly known as Maxar Technologies, released the Monday images. Vantor said the pictures showed damage to buildings used by personnel. Vantor also said the images indicated damage at vehicle entrances leading to Natanz’s underground fuel enrichment complex.

Natanz nuclear facility damage and IAEA assessment

On Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency said the Natanz enrichment site had sustained recent damage. The agency linked the incident to the US-Israeli attack on Iran. The IAEA said there was no radiological consequence expected. Natanz sits about 220 km southeast of Tehran and serves as Iran’s main enrichment site.

Monday’s strike marked the first confirmed attack on a nuclear site in Iran in the latest fighting. Natanz had also been hit earlier in June 2025 during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel. The site had also been targeted by the US during that earlier conflict.

Iran nuclear programme claims and declared enrichment facilities

After last summer’s brief war, US President Donald Trump and the administration said Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been obliterated. Before the current hostilities, Trump again warned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. On Monday, Trump said Iran was trying to rebuild its nuclear programme.

Iran has four declared nuclear enrichment facilities. In a confidential report seen by The Associated Press last week, the IAEA said it lacked access. The agency said it cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

Iran said it had not enriched since June. Iran also blocked international inspectors from visiting sites the US bombed. Satellite photos analysed by AP showed new activity at two of those sites. The images suggested Iran was assessing damage and possibly trying to recover material.

With inputs from PTI