Common Questions

What is the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant?: Natanz is Iran's primary uranium enrichment complex in Isfahan Province, housing approximately 5,000 centrifuges in underground halls buried under 8 metres of reinforced concrete and 22 metres of earth. It is Iran's main site for producing enriched uranium.Source: IAEA
Was Natanz destroyed in 2026?: No. The US struck Natanz at least twice in 2026, and satellite imagery confirmed surface structural damage to entrance buildings. However, the IAEA stated it could not confirm the underground enrichment halls were destroyed. Iran holds roughly 440 kg of 60%-enriched uranium, enough for approximately 10 weapons, and airstrikes have not altered that stockpile.Source: IAEA
Can the GBU-57 destroy Natanz?: The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator was not confirmed used against Natanz in 2026. The munitions deployed — GBU-31 2,000-lb bombs with BLU-109 warheads — penetrate approximately 1-2 metres of reinforced concrete, which is insufficient for Natanz's underground halls protected by 8 metres of concrete and 22 metres of earth.Source: The War Zone / Army Recognition
Why did the US strike Natanz and not Israel?: The IDF denied involvement in the second US strike on Natanz in 2026, indicating a unilateral US operation. The US separately used its heavier ground-penetrating GBU-72 munitions at other Iranian sites; Natanz requires the most capable bunker-busters in the US arsenal.Source: IDF / IAEA
How does Natanz compare to Fordow?: Both are underground Iranian enrichment facilities struck by the US in 2025-26. Fordow is built inside a mountain, making it even harder to destroy than Natanz. The GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator was confirmed used against Fordow; the same weapon was not confirmed used at Natanz in the same strikes.Source: CENTCOM

Background

Natanz is Iran's primary uranium enrichment complex in Isfahan Province, comprising a surface Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), a Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) where Iran enriched uranium to 60% purity, and underground halls buried under 8 metres of reinforced concrete and 22 metres of earth. Washington struck the facility at least twice in 2026; Iran confirmed the second strike, the IAEA reported no radiation leak, but satellite imagery could not confirm whether the underground halls housing approximately 5,000 centrifuges were destroyed. On 18 April, Trump claimed Iran had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium; Iran's Foreign Ministry denied any such agreement within hours.

The facility has been rebuilt twice after sabotage. Israeli operations in 2020 and 2021 destroyed advanced centrifuges and new underground halls were constructed specifically to reduce aerial vulnerability. IAEA inspectors accessed Natanz under the JCPOA; that access was suspended after the Majlis voted 221-0 to restrict inspectors in April 2026. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on 13 April 2026 that Iran cannot currently enrich uranium at any surviving facility due to strike damage, making the stockpile-only posture a confirmed operational reality. Iran holds roughly 440 kg of 60%-enriched uranium, enough for approximately 10 weapons if further enriched.

Iran's Foreign Ministry stated its enriched uranium 'is not going to be transferred anywhere'; the US demands the stockpile leave Iranian soil as part of any deal. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated the material and enrichment capacity will likely outlast any military campaign. Defence analysts confirmed the munitions deployed in 2026 were insufficient to penetrate Natanz's underground halls, leaving the programme's physical core intact even if its operating capacity is temporarily destroyed.

How the World Sees Them

IAEA

The agency's emergency centre monitored Natanz continuously after each strike, reporting no radiation release. IAEA Director General Grossi stated the enrichment material and capacity would likely outlast any military campaign.

Iran

Tehran publicly confirmed strikes on Natanz in 2026 while framing each hit as an act of war justifying retaliation. Iran's acceptance of IAEA presence post-strike reflects its interest in demonstrating that the programme survived.

Israel

The IDF denied involvement in the second Natanz strike, highlighting a division of labour: Israel struck other nuclear-related sites while the US targeted Natanz directly with its heavier ground-penetrating arsenal.

United States

Washington designated Natanz a primary strike target in June 2025, using GBU-31 penetrating munitions in at least two operations. The Pentagon's decision to strike unilaterally, without Israeli involvement, underscored Natanz's centrality to US non-proliferation strategy.