The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed that underground entrances to tunnels at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site were damaged in the US bombings. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a statement confirming the extent of damage to Iran’s major nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan (Isfahan). According to IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi, several parts of these facilities were hit during overnight airstrikes carried out by the United States.

The United States dropped 30,000-pound bombs on Iran’s uranium enrichment sites. Meanwhile, Iran has declared that it has already started rebuilding the affected nuclear facilities and vowed to resume its nuclear work with even more strength, as per Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran had reportedly stored much of its highly enriched uranium underground at the Isfahan site. With Israel’s strikes and the recent US attacks, damage to these sites has become a serious concern.

IAEA CONFIRMS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO IRAN’S KEY NUCLEAR SITES

In its official statement, the IAEA confirmed that Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan had all been affected. Director General Rafael Grossi said the Isfahan complex, which had already been hit by Israeli strikes earlier this month, suffered additional damage.

“The latest attacks early this morning damaged other buildings in Esfahan. In addition, we have established that entrances to underground tunnels at the site were impacted,” Grossi said.

He added that some of the damaged buildings at the Esfahan site might have held nuclear material.

While the Fordow facility, built deep inside a mountain, was also targeted, the IAEA said it is difficult to determine how much internal damage occurred due to the underground location and the type of bombs used.

“It is clear that Fordow was also directly impacted, but the degree of damage inside the uranium enrichment halls can’t be determined with certainty,” Grossi explained.

The Natanz facility, which had already faced extensive damage in past attacks, was also hit again with US bombs.

Despite the damage, Grossi stated that Iranian authorities had informed the agency that there had been no rise in radiation levels outside the sites.

“We need to try to go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible. We have to allow the IAEA inspectors to return. The IAEA is ready to play its indispensable role in this process. We have been talking to Iran, we have been talking to the United States. We have to work for peace,” he said.

IRAN SAYS NUCLEAR SITES ARE BEING REBUILT QUICKLY

In response to the attacks, Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency announced on Sunday that the damaged nuclear facilities are being rebuilt rapidly.

According to Iranian state media, officials have promised that operations at these sites will resume soon and with greater capacity. The announcement appeared to signal Iran is not ready to back down at any cost in order to continue its nuclear programme amid international pressure.

The IAEA has warned that the ongoing conflict may prevent inspectors from properly verifying Iran’s stockpile of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.

“This would also enable the IAEA to resume its crucial verification activities in Iran, including of its stockpile of more than 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, which Agency inspectors last verified a few days before the military conflict began.” Grossi said.

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