The Iran-Israel conflict continues after an attack on an Iranian nuclear site.
Iran announced the launch of new uranium centrifuges on April 12, a step forward for the nation’s nuclear power program and a potential contribution to the nation’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. Only hours later, an explosion occurred at a power generator in Natanz, which affected power in the local area and led to a blackout.
Iran was quick to blame its long-time rival Israel, suggesting that the explosion was caused by either infiltrators or a cyber-attack. Iran has reason to speculate about Israel’s involvement in the incident because of a similar attack in the same area in 2010. That incident was sponsored by Israel and the United States in an attempt to thwart Iran’s progress towards developing nuclear weapons and to force negotiations regarding the subject. That attack was a cyber-attack which disrupted the balance of Iran’s uranium centrifuges, disrupting the nation’s development of uranium technology.
As for the recent attack, the United States immediately denied its involvement. “The U.S. was not involved in any manner,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki during a briefing on the same day of the attack. The White House was quick to clear its name since President Biden seeks to revive the Iran nuclear deal which was abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018.
Israel has not publicly admitted to involvement in the blackout, but Israeli media has quoted officials, who stated that the attack was spearheaded by Israel’s intelligence agency. The intention behind the attack, however, is unknown.
Iran, however, has vowed revenge. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister of Iran, stated on Iranian state-sponsored television that “we will take our revenge on the Zionists.” A day after the attack the nation announced that in retaliation it would start refining uranium at 60%. 60% is a dramatic difference compared to the previous 20% refinement, bringing the country much closer to developing nuclear weapons. While the attack may have been meant to stall the nation’s nuclear progress, it would seem it only jump-started it.
