The Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit security organisation, estimates that the Natanz complex itself consists of three underground buildings, two of which are designed to hold 50,000 centrifuges. Six buildings are above ground, two of which are 2500-metre halls used for gas centrifuge assemblies.
Natanz itself has long been of concern on the global stage over the advancement of Iran’s nuclear program. It is unclear how far along that project is, given the secrecy surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities, especially as the regime restricts the access of international inspectors to its facilities. The expansion at Natanz could have been dug even deeper underground than that of Iran’s other major nuclear enrichment site, Fordow.
Israel has long been suspected of running sabotage operations against Iran’s nuclear program, including via cyberattacks, physical strikes, and even assassinations of top Iranian nuclear scientists.Iran’s other major nuclear site, Fordow, is located more than 100 miles north of Natanz, and is buried in a mountain near the city of Qom. In March 2023, the IAEA reported that it had discovered uranium enriched to 83.7 per cent purity, which is a very close to the 90 per cent weapons-grade.