Israel's Attack Fails to Breach Protective Layers of Iran's Nuclear Facilities

Early indications suggest that Israel’s attack did not penetrate the protective layers safeguarding Iran’s nuclear stockpile facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that there are no signs of increased radiation levels at Iran’s main uranium enrichment facilities. Iranian authorities informed the IAEA that they have not observed elevated radiation at the Natanz facility, located about 300 kilometers south of Tehran. Israeli officials said that Israel did not carry out any attacks on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on the Persian Gulf coast. Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the attacks “will continue for as many days as necessary until the threat is eliminated.” Only the most powerful conventional munitions can penetrate Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. The Natanz nuclear facility is built more than 40 meters underground and is protected by a reinforced concrete shell estimated by researchers to be about 8 meters thick. At the Fordow nuclear facility, the enrichment hall is built inside a mountain. After a recent visit, IAEA Director General Grossi estimated that the uranium enrichment hall is located half a kilometer underground. (Jin10)