Israel’s defense forces held, at dawn on Friday (13), an attack on nuclear facilities in Iran. The main target was the Natanz Complex, located south of Tehran, Iranian capital. The place is considered the heart of the country’s nuclear program.
The purpose of the offensive was to weaken the infrastructure responsible for the enrichment of uranium, in a movement that further aggravates the tension between the two countries.
The complex houses two uranium enrichment plants. One is underground, with 16,000 centrifuges, of which 13,000 would be in operation and capacity to hold up to 50,000 machines. In this unit, uranium is enriched at 5% purity, percentage considered low and generally associated with civil applications.
Organize your financial life with AI
The second plant, located above the ground, operates with hundreds of centrifuges and reaches 60% levels of purity, high and close to war, which starts at 90%. For experts, once this level is reached, it is technically simple to turn the material into a nuclear weapon.
According to a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently has 142 kg of 60%enriched uranium. In February, when the previous survey was published, the number was 122 kg – which demonstrates a relevant advance in the country’s nuclear program, which already generated international concern.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran has enough material to manufacture up to nine nuclear bombs.
Continues after advertising
“In recent months, Iran took unpublished steps. Steps to transform this weaponry enriched uranium. And if not prevented, it can produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,” Netanyahu said. He also said he expects “several waves of Iranian attacks” in response to the Israeli offensive.
Natanz had already been the target of sabotage previously. In 2021, an attack on the complex was attributed to Israel. Since the existence of the installation was revealed in 2002, the site became the center of a diplomatic impasse between Iran and Western powers, which suspect that the country’s nuclear program may have military purposes. Tehran, in turn, has been insisting for years that his efforts have been focused exclusively for peaceful purposes.
This Friday’s attack occurs at a time of strong deterioration of relationships between Israel and Iran and can have significant geopolitical impacts. The episode increases the risks of military climbing in the Middle East and tends to generate additional concerns in international markets, especially in the energy sector.
Continues after advertising
(with international agencies)
