Natanz Uncovered: Inside Iran’s Deep Uranium Enrichment Hub

Natanz, Iran’s principal uranium enrichment complex buried under Pickaxe Mountain on the central plateau southeast of Tehran, houses two major underground enrichment halls plus a pilot plant, hosting thousands of centrifuges (IR-1 to IR-6) enriching uranium up to 60% purity under IAEA oversight.

The facility’s halls lie 40–50 m deep, with additional tunnels 80–145 m below, shielded by rock, concrete, anti-aircraft defenses, and IRGC protection.

Previously targeted by Stuxnet and sabotage, Natanz endured an Israeli strike on June 13, 2025: surface infrastructure was damaged, but IAEA confirmed no radiation spike, indicating underground vaults remained intact.

Israel cited nuclear weaponization concerns; Iran’s vow of retaliation raises fears of broader Middle East escalation