Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Israel of committing “nuclear terrorism” by rigging a uranium enrichment site with explosives. This accusation relates to an April 2021 incident at the Natanz facility where extensive damage to centrifuges occurred. Zarif linked the vulnerability of Iran’s nuclear operations to the international sanctions imposed on the country, which have forced it to rely on intermediaries.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Vice President, asserted during an appearance on the online news program Hozour that Israel had committed an act of “nuclear terrorism” by rigging explosives at the Natanz uranium enrichment site. This claim pertains to an incident in April 2021 when the underground power substation was damaged, consequently affecting thousands of centrifuges. Reports indicated that the attack utilized an explosive device that was smuggled into the facility and remotely detonated, although Iranian sources suggested the involvement of an insider rather than external forces, identifying a “traitor” responsible.
Zarif’s statements mark the first official acknowledgment from the Iranian government attributing the attack to Israel. Previously, there have been accusations against Israel regarding the same facility, notably during the Stuxnet cyber-attacks that exploited system vulnerabilities, resulting in damage to numerous reactors. Zarif also highlighted how sanctions imposed on Iran have induced security vulnerabilities by compelling the nation to depend on intermediaries, which could be infiltrated by adversaries such as Israel.
He noted that such infiltration allows the Zionist regime to manipulate intermediary relations to their advantage, stating, “If the Zionist regime infiltrates even one of the intermediaries, they can do anything and embed anything they want, which is exactly what happened.” Furthermore, Zarif emphasized that the impact of sanctions has extended beyond financial aspects and severely restricted Iran’s capacity to procure essential technology. He drew a parallel to the Mossad operation against Hezbollah, resulting in numerous casualties from detonated devices.
The tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The Natanz uranium enrichment site has been a focal point of conflict, with various sabotage efforts attributed to Israeli intelligence operations. This incident underscores the complex security dynamics in the region, where sanctions have weakened Iran’s defenses, making it susceptible to external threats. The long-standing adversarial relationship has fostered incidents of cyber warfare and physical attacks, contributing to an ongoing cycle of hostility.
In summary, the accusations made by Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif highlight an escalation in rhetoric regarding Israel’s alleged involvement in destabilizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The reference to sanctions lays bare the vulnerabilities that have arisen from international pressures, which Iran claims have facilitated external manipulation. This situation exemplifies the broader geopolitical tensions affecting nuclear proliferation issues in the region.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
