Iran Shoots Fall Israeli Drone Near Natanz Nuclear Facility

JAKARTA - Iran shot down an Israeli drone near the Natanz nuclear facility. The FARS news agency reported the drone was shot down inside the operation area of the Natanz installation air defense system.

Reported by CNN, Tuesday, June 17, the information was uploaded on Telegram along with photos of debris and damaged machines on the ground.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Natanz is considered the main nuclear site where Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity. Uranium weapons levels were enriched to 90%.

In recent days, the site has been the target of Israeli airstrikes, with satellite images showing significant damage including the main power supply building Natanz, and emergency and backup generators.

It was previously reported that an Israeli official and the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog gave a different assessment of the damage suffered by the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran's main enrichment plant.

An Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told CNN there were "signs" of the underground part of Iran's Natanz facility having collapsed.

The facility includes two large underground halls believed to harbor centrifuges for uranium enrichment, according to a 2003 report from the Institute of International Science and Security.

Israel targeted the facility when it launched its attack on Iran on Friday, June 13 last week.

However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday the facility was only damaged on the surface.

As reported by CNN, in an update on Monday, June 16, IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi, said there had been no "additional damage" at the plant since the initial attack.

According to him, "there is no indication" of an attack on the underground cascade hall.

"However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuge there," Grossi said.