World · 21 March 2026
Why Natanz Is at the Heart of Iran's Nuclear Tensions
Natanz is Iran's primary underground uranium enrichment facility, located 220 km southeast of Tehran. Built 40 to 50 metres below ground, it housed over 19,000 centrifuges capable of enriching uranium for energy or weapons. Its secret existence was exposed in 2002, triggering a standoff with the West that never ended. It became central to the 2015 nuclear deal and has since been targeted by cyberattacks, sabotage and military strikes.
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