Iran vows to continue nuclear program despite Israel’s attack

Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing its nuclear program, stating that Israel’s strikes did not affect its determination, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

According to him, Israel’s strikes on Iran have only strengthened the resolve of Iranian scientists to continue their nuclear work, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

"The Zionist enemy is trying to affect the determination of our scientists and experts. I can assure you that these [Israeli] actions have not affected our determination. To the contrary, they have made our colleagues more determined to pursue their inalienable rights under Article 4 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT],” he said. 

Kamalvandi confirmed that the Natanz facility had been targeted, but emphasised that the damage was limited. 

“Fortunately, we had no casualties… most of the damage is superficial,” he said, adding that both the Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites are located underground.

The AEOI also issued a statement acknowledging internal, chemical or radiological, contamination had been detected inside the Natanz facility. However, Kamalvandi assured the public that there was no contamination outside the site and that cleanup efforts were underway.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes across Iranian territory. The Israeli Air Force conducted at least five separate raids, targeting a wide range of sites linked to Iran’s nuclear and military programs. The offensive followed an earlier announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared the beginning of a large-scale military operation aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

In a video statement, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces had struck the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, as well as other locations connected to Iran’s ballistic missile program and nuclear weapons research. Despite these claims, Iranian authorities informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was not among the targets, and that no radiation spikes had been detected at the Natanz site. No damage was reported at the Isfahan nuclear facility or the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

By Sabina Mammadli