The Intelligence from The Economist Fission expedition: nuclear-site attack in Iran
Apr 13, 2021
Roger McShane, Middle East editor for The Economist, sheds light on the recent sabotage at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, suspected to be an Israeli operation. He discusses how this incident complicates the U.S.'s prospects of rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal and its implications for regional security. The conversations also touch on the ongoing shadow warfare between Israel and Iran, and the impact of domestic politics on international negotiations, alongside a brief dive into challenges facing independent public broadcasting in Europe.
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Natanz Incident
- Iran restarted advanced centrifuges for uranium enrichment at its Natanz facility.
- Shortly after, apparent sabotage halted operations, with Iran blaming Israel.
Likely Sabotage
- An explosive device, likely smuggled in and detonated remotely, caused the power outage at Natanz.
- Israel is suspected, given past actions and unofficial comments to reporters.
Timing and Motivation
- The attack may be linked to Iran bringing centrifuges back online a day prior.
- Israel views Iran's nuclear program as a threat, justifying the attack in their view.