Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reza Najafi, on Monday accused the United States and Israel of carrying out airstrikes on the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility in Iran. His claim contradicts IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who said the agency has “no indication” that any Iranian nuclear sites have been hit.

Speaking at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna during a special Board of Governors session requested by Russia, Najafi said, “Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday. Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie.” When asked about the targeted site, he identified Natanz, located roughly 220 kilometers south of Tehran. The site houses both above- and below-ground laboratories and was central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, including advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels.

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Israel previously struck Natanz’s above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant on June 13, leaving it “functionally destroyed,” and damaged underground halls holding centrifuge cascades. A follow-up U.S. strike on June 22 further hit the underground facilities.

Grossi, addressing the Board, reiterated that “up to now” no nuclear installations, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant or Tehran Research Reactor, show signs of damage. The IAEA continues trying to contact Iranian authorities but has received no response due to communication constraints. He warned that military actions in the region raise nuclear safety risks, though radiation levels in neighboring countries remain normal.

Najafi also criticized the U.S., accusing former President Donald Trump of using “deception and disinformation” to justify military actions. He called the strikes “unlawful, criminal and brutal” and urged the IAEA board members to “categorically condemn” them.