Iranian media: ‘sabotage attack’ on nuclear building foiled

The attack was stopped “before causing damage to the building,” news agencies said.

A sabotage attempt against a building of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran was thwarted on Wednesday, Iranian media reported.

An Iranian news site close to security services said authorities thwarted a “sabotage attack” on the country’s civilian nuclear program, without providing further information.

Social media channels linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corporation (IRGC) said a drone attempted to attack the building.

Nournews, a website believed to be close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reported that the attack was stopped “before damaging the building.”

“Investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and determine the facts surrounding the incident,” Nournews said.

When asked for comment, an Iranian official referred to the Nournews report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.

Iran’s English-language Press TV reported that “the hostile attempt occurred early Wednesday, but did not result in casualties or damage due to strict security precautions taken after similar acts of sabotage against Iranian nuclear sites and scientists.”

Iran has accused Israel of several attacks on facilities linked to its nuclear program and killing its nuclear scientists in recent years. Israel has neither denied nor confirmed the allegations.

Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency said the attacked building was located near the city of Karaj, 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the capital of Tehran.

The website of the state newspaper IRAN published the same report without offering the location or other details.