Fire Breaks Out at Iranian Nuclear-Fuel Enrichment Plant

The cause of a fire that extensively damaged Iran’s Natanz nuclear-fuel enrichment facility Thursday morning remains shrouded in mystery Friday.

Atomic energy officials in Iran have released a photo that shows the two-story brick building demolished, complete with fire damage and a collapsed roof. The nature of the damage suggests an explosion in addition to a fire.

However, the Iranian officials would only go as far as to acknowledge an incident at the facility.

It is known that beneath the building is an underground complex where equipment to purify uranium is assembled. Improvements in that equipment could potentially lead to the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

Various organizations have attempted to claim responsibility online for sabotaging the facility.  

The Natanz complex is in the central province of Isfahan. First reports about the fire came in at 2 a.m., identifying the origin as the northwest corner of the complex, media reports state.