Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced that uranium enrichment centrifuges at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility were “seriously damaged, if not destroyed” following Israeli strikes. Deutsche Welle reports that he added the upper section of the facility had been entirely destroyed, while the underground portion remained largely unharmed.

Grossi further noted that four buildings were hit at the Isfahan nuclear center, while the Fordow underground enrichment plant appeared to be unaffected.

On June 14, the IAEA reported radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz site, which enriches uranium up to 60%, due to the destruction of infrastructure including backup generators. Radiation levels outside the plant, however, remained within normal limits. The same day, it confirmed that Isfahan’s uranium conversion and fuel plate production facilities were also hit by Israeli strikes.

Located deep in the mountains near Qom, the Fordow facility—one of Iran’s key nuclear sites—experienced two explosions on June 13, the first day of Israel’s “Awakening Lion” operation, allegedly caused by drones. No major damage was recorded.

Iran’s Seismological Center registered 2.5-magnitude tremors in the Fordow area on June 16.

Axios reported on June 14 that Israel urged the U.S. to join its strikes aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program, citing Israel’s lack of bunker-busting bombs and large bombers needed to neutralize Fordow. The U.S. does possess such capabilities.

In an interview with ABC, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked whether Israel intended to target Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He responded that the government “does what is necessary,” adding that Khamenei’s assassination could end the war. He claimed that removing Khamenei “wouldn’t escalate the conflict, but conclude it,” accusing Iran of seeking “eternal war” and threatening with “nuclear warfare.”

Netanyahu asserted that by striking Iran, Israel is “ending aggression” and fighting against “forces of evil.”

Meanwhile, Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, reported on June 15 that President Donald Trump recently vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei.

In the night of June 13, Israeli Air Force bombed at least six military bases near Tehran. Iranian media reported strikes on residential areas in Tehran and other cities, including a hit on the IRGC headquarters in the capital. Iran’s military command vowed a “destructive” response to Israel’s attacks.

In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched “True Promise 3” following a speech by Ayatollah Khamenei, who pledged a harsh response to Israel.