Attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site

Aug 2002: Exiled opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran reports existence of underground uranium enrichment site at Natanz, sparkinginternational concerns that Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons

Nov 2007: Versionof Stuxnet computervirus – believed to have been created by U.S.and Israel – cripples output at Natanz,months after facility goes online 

2010: Stuxnet attack destroys about 1,000 IR-1 centrifuges – machines used to refine uranium – out of 9,000 at Natanz

July 2020: Explosion at Natanz reportedly sets back Iran’s advanced centrifuge programme by up to two years

Mar 2021: Iran begins enriching uranium at Natanz using advanced IR-4 centrifuges, breaching its 2015 nuclear deal with major world powers

Apr 11, 2021: Israel suspected of carrying out cyber attack at Natanz, one day after Iran unveiled new IR-6 centrifuges at facility

Centrifuges at Natanz, seen in 2019.

Advanced machines allow uranium to be enriched more quickly

Iran has blamed Israel for an attack on its main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, warning that it would take revenge for the assault

Tehran
Natanz
AFGHANISTAN
IRAQ
200km
125 miles
IRAN
The
Gulf
Caspian Sea
Gachin
Karaj
Fordow
Arak
Bushehr Nuclear site
Reactor
Uranium mine
Anarak
Saghand
Ardakan
Isfahan

Sources: AFP, AP, Reuters, The Jerusalem Post
Picture: Associated Press
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