Blast near Natanz nuclear project; Iran claims tested air defence system

Tehran – Chief of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, had warned that Israel would go to any extent to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. On Saturday, a massive blast was near Iran’s supercritical Natanz nuclear project within a few hours of the warning. There were speculations of Israeli involvement due to the warning issued by Mossad Chief. However, Iran got the situation under control by promptly announcing that their military conducted testing of the air defence system. On previous occasions, information released by Iran regarding Natanz nuclear blast was not conclusive. Hence, there is a lot of suspicion and speculation about the recent explosion.

The city of Natanz in Iran’s Isfahan province has a large uranium enrichment project. This is a vital and sensitive project for Iran’s nuclear program. At 8.15 pm on Saturday, a huge explosion occurred in the Badrud area, about 20 kilometres from the Natanz nuclear power plant. Locals informed the Iranian news agency about the blast and flash of light in the sky. This caused tensions in Iran, including the Natanz region, for some time. However, Iran’s military spokesman, General Amir Tariqani, later announced that the military had conducted an air defence system test at Natanz’s airspace. ‘Iran is ready for any airstrikes,’ he said. It is claimed that Iran successfully intercepted the drone in this test. The Iranian military informed that as the tests were kept secret, the information was revealed only after the completion. But the revelations made by Iran’s military are viewed with suspicion.

In the last 18 months, there have been three powerful explosions to sabotage Iran’s Natanz nuclear plant. The blasts are believed to have caused extensive damage to the centrifuge at Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s nuclear program is said to have been set back by months. Some Iranian leaders have blamed Israel for the bombings. Some said there was no significant damage to the plant. Due to conflicting information, the explosion near the Natanz airspace is being viewed with suspicion.

Just hours before the bombing, David Barney, the head of Israel’s renowned intelligence agency, Mossad, announced that Mossad was ready to do anything to reduce the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program. Barney had warned that Israel would not tolerate a botched up nuclear deal with Iran. Last month, the Israeli defence chief had ordered his air force to be in a state of readiness to launch attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The United States has said that they had instructed Israel not to carry out any covert offensive operation against Iran. At the same time, the talks were being held regarding the nuclear deal in Vienna. The explosion near Natanz on Saturday is viewed with more suspicion in such a scenario.