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Iranian top diplomat accuses Israel of involvement in Natanz nuclear site incident

Mohammad Javad Zarif said that "Iran will ensure even more progress in the nuclear field"

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/TASS

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

© Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/TASS

TEHRAN, April 12. /TASS/. Israel was involved in the incident that occurred at Iran’s nuclear facility in Natanz on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

"Israeli politicians and military officials keep saying that they will prevent progress and the lifting of unfair sanctions [on Iran] and today, they think that they have achieved their goal," he pointed out when asked about the Natanz incident.

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The Iranian top diplomat added that "Iran will ensure even more progress in the nuclear field." Zarif also said that Iran’s "people and elite need to stay alert to avoid a trap set up by the Israeli authorities." He emphasized that "the Natanz facility will now be equipped with more advanced centrifuges that will increase Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities."

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said at a press conference on Monday that Iran will take revenge on Israel for an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.

"Iran will respond by taking revenge on the Israeli regime in due time," he pointed out.

According to the diplomat, although the Natanz incident caused no casualties or contamination, it could have led to a catastrophe. Khatibzadeh added that the disabled IR-1 centrifuges would be replaced with new ones.

Tehran said on Sunday that the Natanz nuclear facility had been hit by a power failure. Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi described the incident as an act of nuclear terrorism.

Meanwhile, the New York Times wrote that "American and Israeli intelligence officials said there had been an Israeli role."

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