The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it believed Israeli airstrikes on Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz had a “direct impact” on the facility's underground centrifuge halls.
The strikes are part of an air campaign Israel launched against its longtime foe five days ago, targeting Iran's military and nuclear programs.
It is the first time the UN nuclear watchdog has assessed the damage caused by strikes on underground parts of Natanz, where Iran's nuclear enrichment facility is located.
“Based on ongoing analysis of high-quality satellite imagery obtained since Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified new elements indicating a direct impact on the underground uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz,” the agency said.
The above-ground enrichment plant had already been destroyed, as had the electrical equipment that powered the facility.
Israel continued its bombing of Iran on Tuesday, while US President Donald Trump issued an alarming message calling on residents of Tehran to evacuate.
“Iran cannot have nuclear weapons,” Mr. Trump tweeted on Monday evening before his early return to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada.
“Everyone must leave Tehran immediately!” he added.
Mr Trump later denied that he was rushing to get back to work on a cease-fire, telling reporters aboard Air Force One on his flight back to Washington: “I'm not looking at a cease-fire. We're looking at more than just a cease-fire.”
Asked why he called for the evacuation of Tehran, he replied: “I just want people to be safe.”
Earlier, the Israeli military called for the evacuation of about 330,000 residents of a district in central Tehran.
Tehran is one of the largest cities in the Middle East, with a population of about 10 million, roughly equivalent to the population of all of Israel. People have been leaving the city since the fighting began.
Israel says its sweeping offensive against Iran's top military brass, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment facilities and ballistic missile program is necessary to prevent its longtime adversary from getting any closer to developing nuclear weapons.
Strikes since Friday have killed at least 224 people in Iran and wounded 1,277.
Iran responded by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel.
Israel has so far killed 24 people and injured more than 500. The Israeli military said a new salvo of rockets was fired on Tuesday, with explosions heard in northern Israel.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
