Iran: Fire reported at Natanz nuclear facility on July 2

Event

Iranian officials have reported that a fire broke out at a building in the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province on Thursday, July 2. No casualties have been reported and no leakage of nuclear material has occurred, according to officials. US analysts believe that the building may be a new centrifuge production plant. Iranian officials have stated that there has been no interruption to the functionality of the site. The fire was large enough to have been detected by US satellites, and photographs of the scene and unconfirmed media reports indicate that it was accompanied by an explosion. An unknown group calling itself the "Cheetahs of the Homeland", allegedly an opposition group to Iran's security apparatus, has claimed responsibility for the fire, although this is yet to be confirmed. The fire comes days after an explosion at the Parchin military base, which Iran attributed to a gas leak.

A heightened security presence is to be expected as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

Advice

Those in Natanz and the surrounding area are advised to avoid the vicinity of the nuclear facility, monitor developments, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.