Amagnitude 5.0 earthquake struck near Isfahan in central Iran on Friday, shaking areas just 26.5 kilometers (16.5 miles) from the Natanz nuclear facility, the country’s main uranium enrichment site. Hours later, a second tremor measuring 4.5 magnitude occurred at 1:03 p.m. local time, according to the Iranian Seismological Center.
Initial reports from local news outlets reported no damage to the nuclear site or casualties. Emergency teams are currently assessing the affected areas, according to Reza Moussavi, head of crisis management in Isfahan province.
The Natanz facility, largely located underground, has been a repeated target of sabotage. In July 2020, a major explosion at its centrifuge assembly plant caused severe damage, which Iranian officials later attributed to sabotage. Less than a year later, in April 2021, another attack struck the site. Iran directly accused Israel of orchestrating the strike.
