UN nuclear watchdog says Iran has moved centrifuge workshop to underground facility

Iran has set up a new centrifuge parts workshop underground at its Natanz nuclear facility for better protection, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency confirmed on Thursday.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said the machines were moved from Karaj, near Tehran, to the new location, which he said was some three floors below ground, possibly to protect it from potential airstrikes.

The workshop produces parts for centrifuges, which are machines used to enrich uranium.

“They are transferring the centrifuge producing capacity to a place where they feel they are more protected,” Grossi said.

The workshop has been set up in one of the halls of Natanz’s Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran has thousands of centrifuges, Grossi said, according to Reuters. READ MORE