An underground nuclear site in Iran suddenly and mysteriously lost power on Sunday after the facility launched advanced centrifuges that will allow it to enrich uranium more quickly as negotiations on the nuclear deal continue. United took off in 2018, according to reports.
Iranian officials investigated the disruption in Natanz, as Israeli media suggested the disruption could be the result of cyberattacks, the Associated Press reported.
The Natanz facility is the cornerstone of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and is overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN watchdog.
At the same time, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the United States hopes to renew the Obama-era Iranian nuclear deal signed with six world powers.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reiterated his close relationship with the United States and said he would cooperate with the United States over Iran while hoping its security would continue to be a priority.
“Israel sees the United States as a full-fledged partner in all operating theaters, not Iran,” Gantz said after meeting with Austin.
“And we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran secures the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevents a dangerous arms race in our region, and protects the state.” Israel, ”he said. .
Austin’s visit to Israel is the first of Biden’s major administrations.
He said the alliance between the two countries is key to maintaining security in the Middle East and said the US would ensure that Israel maintains its “qualitative military advantage.”
“Our bilateral relationship with Israel, in particular, is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. During our meeting, I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz that our commitment to Israel is lasting and is of iron, ”Austin said.
A spokesman for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization said there were no “casualties or pollution” caused by the shutdown, adding that “electricity was affected at the Natanz facility.” .
“The cause of this incident is being investigated,” Behrouz Kamalvandi told Iran’s Fars news agency, Reuters reported.
Malek Shariati Niasar, a Tehran-based lawmaker who serves as a spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s energy committee, in a Twitter post described the disruption as “very suspicious” and raised the possibility of “sabotage and infiltration.” AP reported.
Asked if the shutdown was due to a “technical defect or sabotage,” Kamalvandi declined to comment.
Former President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact in 2018 and re-imposed punitive sanctions on Iran as part of a “campaign of maximum pressure.”
But last week, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States is willing to lift sanctions “incompatible” with the 2015 agreement.
“We are prepared to take the necessary steps to return to JCPOA compliance, including by lifting sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA,” Price said, referring to the agreement by its official name, the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan. .
His comments came when indirect talks were held in Vienna about the US return to the pact.
They are occurring among all the entities involved in Iran’s original nuclear deal (China, France, Russia, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union), while member countries are working to return the states United to the agreement.