Iran Government "Confirmed Culprit Behind Natanz Nuclear Facility Blackout"

Satellite image of the nuclear facility in Natanz, central Iran. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Reports have emerged that the Iranian government has identified the individual responsible for causing the power outage at the Natanz nuclear facility.

On the 12th (local time), major foreign media reported that Iranian authorities have identified the person who destroyed the power distribution network at the Natanz nuclear facility. Local media, citing an official from the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, stated that the authorities have taken measures to arrest the identified individual.

They also explained, "Nuclear facility experts have identified the cause of the power supply device failure at the Natanz facility and are conducting restoration work to reactivate the damaged circuits."

The previous day, the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran experienced a power outage due to a cyberattack.

The Natanz nuclear facility possesses advanced centrifuges that are prohibited under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It is known that advanced centrifuges, IR-5 and IR-6, are installed and operational in this underground nuclear facility.

In 2015, Iran reached a nuclear agreement with the United States stipulating that only IR-1 centrifuges could be used for uranium enrichment.

The New York Times (NYT), citing intelligence officials, reported the previous day that Israel played a role in the power outage at the Natanz nuclear facility. The official referred to the power outage at the Iranian nuclear facility as a secret operation by Israel and hinted that Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities were significantly damaged.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, pointed to Israel as the mastermind behind this attack and warned that corresponding retaliation would be carried out.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.