After accusing Israel of sabotage against its Natanz uranium enrichment plant, promising revenge and intensifying its atomic activities, Tehran asked, Sunday April 18, for Interpol’s help in the hunt for the one who is presented as the prime suspect in the April 11 explosion at the Natanz nuclear complex, reports the ultraconservative daily Kayhan.
Iranian state television on Saturday released a photo of a person named “Réza Karimi”, 43, born in Kachan, claiming he was “The author of the act of sabotage” at the Natanz nuclear facilities. This suspect who has “Fled” was identified “Thanks to the efforts of [officiers] of the Ministry of Intelligence “ of the Islamic Republic. The measures needed to “His arrest and extradition (…) are being taken through legal channels ”, added the same source, without providing further details.
No confirmation from Interpol
Seized by a member state, the International Criminal Police Organization – commonly known as Interpol – can issue various types of notices, including red notices, which are requests for arrest with a view to the extradition of suspects. Sunday afternoon, none “Public red notice” Natanz’s case was not, however, on the Interpol site. The organization based in Lyon has neither confirmed nor rejected that such a request had been made by the Islamic Republic.
“Interpol does not (…) comments on specific cases or individuals, except in special circumstances and with the approval of the member country concerned ”, explained the organization. No other information was available in Iran, where the intelligence ministry has not officially communicated on the matter.
On April 12, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (OIEA) declared that “The electricity distribution center” of the Natanz factory had been hit the day before by a “Small explosion”, reporting damage “Quickly” repairable.
The Iranian authorities, who did not confirm the circumstances of the attack or the modus operandi, then openly accused Israel of carrying out an act of “Terrorism” having damaged centrifuges used to enrich uranium, promising revenge.
Tehran has accused Israel of seeking to scuttle discussions aimed at putting back on track the 2015 international agreement on the Iranian nuclear program, which Donald Trump’s United States with a bang in 2018.
60% enriched uranium production
In retaliation for this “Attack”, Tehran has decided to break further with the commitments made in Vienna and has announced that it will now produce uranium enriched to 60%, which has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The main powers do not allow Iran to enrich its uranium beyond 3.67%. Tehran had already violated the 2015 agreement by raising its enrichment to 20%. This new exceedance is a response to the damage caused by an explosion on the underground part of the Natanz site, for which Iran holds Israel responsible.
On Saturday, participants in the Vienna talks nevertheless reported “Progress”, without further details. Iran, which is accused of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, assures that its nuclear program is strictly civilian.