IAEA Leader Contacts Israeli President, Allegedly Claims Major Damage to Iranian Nuclear Site

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, reached out to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday, following reports of airstrikes targeting Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, as confirmed by an Israeli presidential spokesperson to Fox News. 

Grossi told Herzog that the facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports. 

“We are actively engaging with Iranian nuclear safety officials to understand the condition of the affected nuclear facilities and evaluate any broader impacts on nuclear safety and security,” Grossi announced in a statement. 

“Radiation measurements outside the Natanz site have shown no change. The radioactive contamination within the facility, primarily consisting of alpha particles, can be controlled with proper protective protocols,” he further explained.

“This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security,” Grossi continued. 

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025.  (Maxar Technologies/AP)

“This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels. As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure,” according to the IDF. 

People attend an anti-Israeli protest following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Friday, June 13, 2025.  (Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters)

“In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site’s continuous operation and the Iranian regime’s ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted,” it said. 

Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.