Natanz ‘May Have Imploded’: Israel Inflicts Damage on Key Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Latest Developments

• IAEA Confirms Significant Damage at Natanz Enrichment Site: Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed that Israel inflicted significant damage on Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. The IDF “destroyed the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant,” Grossi said, adding that “an electrical sub-station, a main electric power supply building, and emergency power supply and back-up generators” were also destroyed during the June 13 strike. While Grossi said that the IDF had not destroyed the underground portion of the plant, which contains thousands of centrifuges and kilograms of enriched uranium, an Israeli official told The Wall Street Journal that based on initial assessments, the facility “may have imploded.” Moreover, damage to the electrical substation may have rendered thousands of centrifuges inoperable.

• Israel Targets Esfahan and Fordow: The IAEA also confirmed that Israel targeted four locations at Iran’s Esfahan nuclear center on June 13. The move may eliminate Iran’s ability to convert new uranium for enrichment and make uranium metal, a key material in nuclear weapon cores. Iran also stored some stocks of highly enriched uranium at the Esfahan site. The IDF also targeted Iran’s deeply buried Fordow enrichment facility on June 13 but has inflicted only “limited damage,” according to a spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. Loud explosions were heard near Fordow on June 15, followed by reports of a 2.5-magnitude earthquake in the city of Qom, which is located approximately 35 kilometers from Fordow.

• Weapons Scientists and Nuclear Weapons Headquarters Eliminated, Possible Action at Parchin: Video indicated that Israel destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, SPND.On June 16, Iranian media reported that Israel was striking Parchin, where the IDF previously destroyed a nuclear weapons research facility in October 2024.

FDD Expert Response

“Israel has done significant damage to Iran’s nuclear weapons breakout option. However, so long as the Fordow enrichment facility continues to operate, Tehran retains the ability to make weapons-grade uranium. Combined with Iran’s threats to reduce IAEA cooperation and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, President Trump should seriously consider sending U.S. B-2 aircraft carrying massive ordnance penetrators to help Jerusalem finish the job.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“Israel’s unprecedented military campaign has shattered Iran’s military infrastructure and eliminated key leadership figures, bringing us the closest we’ve ever been to dismantling the regime’s nuclear program. This is not the moment for de-escalation; the path is now open for a decisive strike that could fully eliminate Iran’s enrichment capabilities, long poised for weaponization. Tehran’s continued threatening rhetoric toward the United States, along with persistent attacks by its proxies, gives Washington every reason to resolve this long-standing threat.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israel May Need U.S. Help to Take Out Key Iranian Nuclear Sites Before Disaster Strikes,” by Andrea Stricker

“The 9 Iranian Nuclear Scientists Israel Has Eliminated,” by Bridget Toomey and Andrea Stricker

“At Least 20 High-Level Commanders, Nuclear Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes on Iran,” FDD Flash Brief