In brief
The International Atomic Energy Agency's Rafael Grossi confirmed on French radio that U.S. attacks on the Fordo facility have rendered its centrifuges non-functional, highlighting significant physical damage.
Centrifuges at Iran's Fordo uranium enrichment facility have been declared "no longer operational" following a U.S. military strike utilizing bunker-buster bombs, according to Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Grossi expressed difficulty in assessing the damage through satellite imagery alone. However, he maintained that the power of the munitions and the facility's technical specifications lead to the conclusion that the centrifuges, which need precise conditions to function, likely sustained extensive damage.Grossi emphasized the inherent fragility of these machines, which are susceptible to intense vibrations produced by such powerful explosives. Stating, "There was no escaping significant physical damage," he conveyed a consensus among experts regarding the impact of the strikes. As the situation unfolds, the IAEA continues to monitor the implications of this development for international nuclear governance.This story is evolving, with further details expected as the investigation progresses. Aurelien Breeden, a reporter based in Paris, remains focused on current developments in nuclear oversight and international relations related to Iran.
