Iran says damage to Fordow nuclear site limited, no radiation risk after Israeli strikes

Iran has acknowledged limited damage at several nuclear facilities following Israeli airstrikes, while officials insist there is no danger of radioactive contamination or cause for public concern.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, addressed the situation in a late-night interview on June 13, after Israeli forces targeted multiple nuclear sites, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, the Natanz complex, and facilities in Isfahan.

“Limited damage has been caused to some areas at the Fordow enrichment site,” Kamalvandi told ISNA. Regarding Natanz, he added, “The damaged parts were mostly above ground. Most of our facilities are underground, and while there was a minor internal leak, it did not spread externally. The public can rest assured—there is no issue.”

He further explained that Iranian authorities had anticipated potential attacks and preemptively moved critical equipment and materials out of high-risk zones. “At the Fordow site, the damage is minimal. In Isfahan, a few storage sheds caught fire, but thanks to our advance preparations, there was no significant destruction or contamination,” Kamalvandi said.

Importantly, no casualties have been reported across any of the nuclear facilities. “Thank God, we have not had any casualties in any of the sites,” Kamalvandi emphasised. “We have experienced damage to nuclear infrastructure in the past, but each time we rebuilt stronger. With our capabilities, advanced technology, and dedicated personnel, we will recover, God willing.”

The comments followed a major Israeli military operation launched in the early hours of June 13, in which the Israeli Air Force conducted at least five coordinated strikes across Iranian territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier announced the operation as part of an effort to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, citing the threat of a potential Iranian nuclear weapon.

In a public video statement, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces had targeted the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, along with infrastructure tied to Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development. However, Iranian authorities reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was not targeted, and radiation levels remained stable at Natanz. They also denied that the Fordow and Isfahan nuclear sites sustained major damage.

In retaliation, Tehran launched a series of missile and drone attacks during the night of June 14. One missile struck a residential area near Tel Aviv, killing four civilians and injuring around 70 others. Emergency workers have been clearing debris, putting out fires, and searching for those trapped beneath rubble.

Iranian sources claimed their counterattacks hit Israeli military sites, including the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Tel Aviv and other key bases.

Israel responded swiftly with another wave of airstrikes, hitting targets in Tehran, Isfahan, and western Iranian cities such as Hamedan and Tabriz. Iranian authorities later confirmed that at least 78 people were killed in these attacks and more than 320 were wounded.

By Tamilla Hasanova