Iran Identifies Terrorist behind Natanz Incident

“The identity of the person who caused the power outage at one of the halls of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment complex in Natanz by disrupting the electrical system has been identified,” an informed source at the intelligence ministry told Nour News website, close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

“Necessary measures are underway to capture the main person who caused disruption in the power system of Natanz complex,” the official said.

The official referred to the report provided by the technical team investigating the accident, and said, “The technical team has determined how the power supply system has been disrupted, and since yesterday, a series of necessary measures have been adopted to recommission the damaged hall.”

Spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi told FNA on Sunday that an incident took place in a part of the electricity distribution network of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan facility in Natanz, adding, “Fortunately, the incident did not cause any human injuries or pollution.”

The spokesman stressed that the causes of the accident are under investigation and further information will be announced later.

The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, covering 100,000 square meters and built eight meters underground, is one of several Iranian facilities.

AEOI Head Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday that his country reserves the right to act against perpetrators of the recent Natanz incident.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to act against the perpetrators of this heinous move,” Salehi said in reference to the incident that occurred at the electricity network of Natanz nuclear facility.

He added that the incident shows the enemies of Iran’s industrial progress have failed to prevent the significant development of its nuclear industry.

“The move also indicates the failure of opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent nuclear talks for the lifting oppressive and cruel US sanctions imposed against the country,” the nuclear official noted.

“While condemning this heinous move, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to deal with perpetrators of this nuclear terrorism,” Salehi stated.

Also, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that his country will take due measure against Israel for sabotage against its nuclear activities, adding that Natanz facility will be constructed stronger than before.

“Iran will not allow them [Israelis] and will take revenge for these actions on the Zionists,” Zarif said, and stressed that Natanz nuclear facility will continue its work with stronger building and machines.

He made the remarks in his meeting with the members of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Monday, saying that this act will strengthen Iran’s position in the negotiations.

The minister stressed the need for proper protection of facilities and nuclear scientists.

Zarif said that the Israeli officials had explicitly stated that they would not allow progress in lifting the oppressive sanctions but they will be responded to by further nuclear progress.

“The negotiating parties should know that if they used to face enrichment facilities with first-generation machines, now Natanz can be full of advanced centrifuges with multiple enrichment capacities,” he went on to say.