Radiation warning issued: Israel 'on verge' of hitting over 10 nuclear targets in Iran

A severe radiation alert has been sounded following Israel's Defence Minister's declaration that his nation is "on the verge" of obliterating "more than 10 nuclear targets" in Iran. Israel Katz announced that the Israeli Air Force is set to strike "very significant targets, strategic targets, targets of the regime and infrastructure" in Tehran.

Among the targets is the subterranean Fordow facility, which Katz affirmed will "an issue that will certainly be addressed."

The Natanz nuclear facility has already felt the brunt of Israeli strikes, and following this latest warning from Israel, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, highlighted the extensive risks associated with attacks on such facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of both radiological and chemical contamination risks within Iran's primary nuclear enrichment facility.

"Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz," the agency reported on X. "No change to report at Esfahan and Fordow," the IAEA added.

The radiation poses a significant threat if uranium is inhaled or ingested. Suitable protective measures are required to manage the risk, including the use of respiratory protection devices while inside the facilities, reports the Mirror.

Mr Grossi confirmed that currently, radiation levels outside the complex are normal.

Situated 220km southeast of Tehran, the Natanz facility is safeguarded by anti-aircraft batteries, fencing and Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The underground section of the site, which houses the majority of the enrichment facilities at Natanz, including 10,000 centrifuges that enrich uranium up to 5 per cent, is buried to shield it from airstrikes.

The IAEA had previously reported that Israeli strikes had demolished an above-ground enrichment hall at Natanz and disabled the electrical equipment powering the facility. However, the bulk of Iran's enrichment occurs underground.

Despite Israel repeatedly targeting Natanz and claiming to have caused significant damage to its underground facilities, Tuesday's IAEA statement was the first time the agency has recognised impacts there.

Iran has not extensively discussed the damage at Natanz as the country is grappling with ongoing Israeli strikes that are dismantling its air defence and killing its top military commanders.

Israel asserts that its comprehensive assault on Iran's top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites and ballistic missile programme is necessary to prevent its adversary from getting any closer to constructing a nuclear weapon.

The strikes have resulted in at least 224 deaths in Iran. In retaliation, Iran has launched over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, resulting in 24 fatalities so far.

The Israeli military reported a fresh onslaught of missiles launched on Tuesday. Iran continues to assert that its nuclear programme is peaceful, and assessments from the United States and other nations suggest that Tehran hasn't pursued an organised effort to develop a nuclear weapon since 2003.

However, the chief of the IAEA has consistently cautioned that the nation possesses sufficient enriched uranium to manufacture several nuclear bombs if it decides to proceed in that direction.