Iran vows to continue its nuclear activities after Israeli strikes

The spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi, has said that Israeli actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities will only strengthen the resolve of Iranian scientists and experts to pursue their country’s nuclear rights.

Speaking in an interview with Iranian state television on Friday, Kamalvandi said, “The Zionist enemy is trying to affect the determination of our scientists and experts. I can assure you that these [Israeli] actions have not affected our determination. To the contrary, they have made our colleagues more determined to pursue their inalienable rights under Article 4 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This path, God willing, will continue with strength.”

Kamalvandi confirmed that an attack had taken place at the Natanz nuclear facility but assured that it resulted in no casualties.

“Fortunately, we had no casualties, and we don’t yet have an estimate of the damage. Most of the damage is superficial. Both Natanz and Fordow facilities are underground,” he stated.

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He also addressed concerns about contamination: “We also issued a statement. There is no contamination — chemical or radioactive — outside the site. Inside, we’ve detected some contamination, but we are handling it with cleanup operations. There is no need for public concern regarding areas outside the site. As far as we know, the damage is limited to the surface.”

Iran has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful and falls under its rights as stipulated in the NPT, despite longstanding opposition from Israel, which views Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as a threat to its security.