Iran on Saturday named the man it believes is behind the attack on its nuclear facility in Natanz that could set back uranium enrichment at the site for months. The attack on Natanz, a major facility in Iran’s nuclear operation, sparked recriminations from Tehran against Israel, accusing Jerusalem of being behind the attack. The state television report marked the first time Iranian authorities publicly admitted that an explosion had hit Natanz. Iran later announced after the attack that it was ramping up its uranium enrichment to 60 percent, moving it closer to the 90 percent needed to create a nuclear weapon. The Natanz attack and Tehran’s subsequent enrichment boost raised questions over the progress of ongoing negotiations in Vienna over a return by the U.S. and Iran to the Obama-era nuclear deal.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 17, 2021 13:54 UTC