‘Closely monitoring’ situation after Israel strikes Iran: International Atomic Energy Agency

Israel attacked Iran’s capital, Tehran, early Friday, June 13, targeting the country’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile manufacturing and military commanders. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Israeli strikes targeted an Iranian uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. The UN nuclear watchdog added it was closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in the country.”The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. The agency can confirm Natanz site among targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country,” Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, stated in a post on the agency’s X feed.

IAEA Director General @Rafaelmgrossi addressed the Board of Governors this morning regarding the situation in Iran. pic.twitter.com/a2yI4ytzyB

— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 13, 2025

However, Director General Rafael Grossi stated that no elevated radiation levels have been reported after the attack.The attack comes at a time when tensions over Tehran’s fast-expanding nuclear program reached new heights. In a recorded video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history.”

“Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” he added, reported Reuters.

Following Israel’s airstrike, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the attack as an “unilateral” action against Iran.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

In a statement, he said, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence.”

On Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel would face “severe punishment”, the Associated Press reported. Israel “opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres,” he added.

According to a report by IRNA news agency, Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was assassinated in the attack.

Speaking with Reuters, an Israeli military official stated that Israel was targeting “dozens” of nuclear and military sites, including the complex in Natanz, central Iran. According to the official, Iran had enough material to produce 15 nuclear bombs in just a few days.

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