Iran has claimed that its Natanz nuclear facility was hit in joint strikes by the United States and Israel, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday. The allegation was made during a session of the IAEA’s Board of Governors in Vienna, where Tehran’s representative confirmed to the global nuclear watchdog that the facility was attacked.

Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, told reporters that the military action struck the country’s nuclear site again after previous hostilities. “Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Najafi said, asserting that the Natanz nuclear site was among those hit during operations by U.S. and Israeli forces. Asked which nuclear facility was hit, he replied simply, “Natanz.”

Natanz is one of Iran’s most significant nuclear complexes, involved in uranium enrichment, and has been at the centre of tensions between Tehran and Western nations for years. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear activities are peaceful, but both Washington and Jerusalem have accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities—an accusation Iran denies.

The claim by Najafi comes against the backdrop of a wider Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Recent military operations by the U.S. and Israel have targeted multiple locations in Iran as part of ongoing hostilities. Those operations have been described by some military sources as coordinated actions involving both nations’ forces against strategic Iranian targets.

The allegation was reported by news agencies quoting a Reuters report, which noted that Iran raised the issue directly during the IAEA board meeting. According to the report, Tehran accused the U.S. and Israel of carrying out strikes on its nuclear infrastructure, despite nuclear installations being subject to international safeguards and oversight.

The facility at Natanz that Iran says was struck is under IAEA verification and safeguards, meaning it is monitored to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme remains within peaceful limits as agreed internationally. Iran’s envoy highlighted to the IAEA that such attacks undermine that system of oversight, though he offered few details about the nature or extent of the alleged damage beyond identifying the site.

Najafi’s comments underline the deepening disagreement between Tehran and international bodies over the interpretation of military actions in the region. He reaffirmed that Tehran’s position is that such attacks are unjustified and harmful to global efforts to maintain nuclear peace and security.

The international community is watching closely as the situation around Iran’s nuclear facilities remains a central issue in global security discussions. The Natanz facility, in particular, has been targeted in the past during previous waves of conflict, making it a critical focal point in the debate over Iran’s nuclear intentions.

As of now, independent verification of the alleged strike is not available. The IAEA typically conducts inspections and analysis before confirming damage, but access to Iranian facilities has been limited because of the ongoing conflict, complicating efforts by international watchdogs to confirm or refute such claims. However, Iran’s envoy was clear in his message that the attack on Natanz occurred and that Tehran condemns it in strong terms.

Najafi’s assertion at the IAEA reflects Iran’s broader narrative about the ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel and highlights the continuing tensions surrounding nuclear issues and regional security.