Iran, June 13 (V7N)– The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed Friday that Israeli strikes had targeted Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment site, stating it was "closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation."

IAEA head Rafael Grossi, in a post on the agency's X feed as the IAEA's board of governors met in Vienna, stated, "The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. Agency can confirm Natanz site among targets." He added, "The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country." Iranian authorities have since informed the IAEA that no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site and that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was not targeted.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences for launching what he called "deadly attacks" on the Islamic republic, including its capital Tehran and nuclear sites. "With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Khamenei declared in a statement.

Despite the dramatic escalation, a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the United States still hopes to hold talks with Iran on Sunday. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Iran on whether it would agree to proceed with the planned discussions. Oman had earlier arranged the Sunday talks, which were expected to involve Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's friend and globe-trotting negotiator.

Iran's foreign ministry, however, stated on Friday that the United States was "responsible for the consequences" of the attack. Iran had previously threatened to strike US bases in the region if conflict erupted.

Israel, a close US ally that relies heavily on American diplomatic and military support, carried out the attack despite President Trump's earlier public statements indicating a desire to allow more time for diplomatic efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, reiterated that the United States was not involved in the attack and issued a stern warning to Iran not to retaliate against US forces stationed across the Arab world.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media confirmed that senior military officials and nuclear scientists were killed in the Israeli strikes, including the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. Images from Tehran showed significant damage in residential neighborhoods, indicating the strikes reached deep into the Iranian capital.

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