Natanz

Natanz (Persian: نطنز, also romanized as Naţanz)[3] is a city in the Central District of Natanz County, Isfahan province, Iran, and serves as both capital of the county and of the district. It is 70 kilometres (43 mi) south-east of Kashan.

For the administrative division, see Natanz County.

Natanz
Persian: نطنز
City
Shrine Complex of Abd al Samad, built in 1304
Shrine Complex of Abd al Samad, built in 1304
Natanz is located in Iran
Natanz
Natanz
Coordinates: 33°30′26″N 51°54′49″E[1]
CountryIran
ProvinceIsfahan
CountyNatanz
DistrictCentral
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total14,122
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (IRST)

At the 2006 National Census, its population was 12,060 in 3,411 households.[4] The following census in 2011 counted 12,281 people in 3,829 households.[5] The latest census in 2016 showed a population of 14,122 people in 4,564 households.[2]

Its bracing climate and locally produced fruit are well known in Iran. Its pear fruits are well known.[6] The Karkas mountain chain (Kuh-e Karkas) (meaning mountain of vultures), at an elevation of 3,899 meters, rises above the town.[7]

Various small shrines dot the area, and it is known as the shrine of Abd as-Samad.[6] The elements in the present complex date from 1304 with subsequent additions and restorations, such as the Khaneqah and Muqarnas vault. The tomb honors the Sufi Sheikh Abd al-Samad, and was built by the Sheikh's disciple, the Ilkhanid vizier Zain al-Din Mastari.

Nuclear facility
Further information: Nuclear facilities in Iran § Natanz

Natanz nuclear facility is part of Iran’s nuclear program. It is located some 33 km NNW from the town (33°43′N 51°43′E) near a major highway, is generally recognized as Iran's central facility for uranium enrichment with over 19,000 gas centrifuges currently operational and nearly half of them being fed with uranium hexafluoride.[8]

Enrichment of uranium at the plant was halted in July 2004 during negotiations with European countries. In 2006, Iran announced that it would resume enrichment. In September 2007, the Iranian government announced that they had installed 3,000 centrifuges at Natanz. In 2010, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was told by the Iranian government that future enrichment programmes would take place at Natanz, and they would start in March 2011.[9]

In January 2013, Fereydoun Abbasi from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said: "five percent uranium enrichment is continuing at Natanz, and we will continue 20 percent enrichment at Fordo and Natanz to meet our needs".[10]

Daily inspection by the IAEA of the Natanz site was agreed as part of the nuclear enrichment reduction agreement made with the P5+1 countries in November 2013.[11]

On 28 October 2020, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released satellite images acknowledging that Iran had begun the construction of an underground plant near its nuclear facility at Natanz.[12] In March 2021, Iran restarted enriching uranium at the Natanz facility with a third set of advanced nuclear centrifuges in a series of violations of the 2015 nuclear accord.[13]

Security incidents

Between 2007–2010 Natanz nuclear power plant was hit by a sophisticated cyber attack that has been alleged to have been carried out in an operation called Olympic Games by a coalition of German, French, British, American, Dutch and Israeli intelligence organizations.[14] The attack used a Stuxnet worm which hampered the operation of plant's centrifuges and caused damage to them over time.[15] The alleged goal of the cyber attack was not to destroy the nuclear program of Iran completely but to stall it enough for sanctions and diplomacy to take effect.[14] This alleged goal was achieved, as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear treaty with Iran was reached in July 2015.[14]

Around 2 a.m. local time on 2 July 2020, a fire and explosion hit a centrifuge production plant at a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz.[16][17] A group known as the "Cheetahs of the Homeland" claimed responsibility for the attack.[18] Some Iranian officials suggested that the incident may have been caused by cyber sabotage.[19]

On 10 April 2021, Iran began injecting uranium hexaflouride gas into advanced IR-6 and IR- 5 centrifuges at Natanz, but on the next day, an accident occurred in the electricity distribution network.[20] On 11 April, IRNA reported that the incident was due to a power failure and that there were no injuries nor any escape of radioactive material.[21] Further details eventually emerged that it was actually Israel that orchestrated the attack.[22] On 17 April, Iranian state television named 43-year-old Reza Karimi from Kashan as a suspect for the blackout, stating that he had fled the country before the sabotage happened.[23][24]

Geography

Natanz is located 120 km northeast of Isfahan and on the main north-south highway of Iran. Its altitude is 1666 meters above sea level. The distance between Tehran and Natanz is 326 km, and it takes about 4 hours by car.

The average temperature of the city is 27 degrees Celsius and the average rainfall in different seasons of the year is 19 mm.[25][26]

Agriculture

Saffron

Natanz saffron is one of the agricultural products of Natanz city, which is compatible with the climate of this region. Natanz saffron is of good quality and most of this product is exported.[27] Because Natanz city has three different types of climate, saffron cultivation in this area has given good results, so that some years it has yielded more than 1600 kg of dry saffron.[28] Currently, the economy of Natanz is in the field of agriculture, people make a living by producing garden products such as pears, beets, walnuts, pomegranates and saffron.[29]

  • Anti-aircraft guns guarding Natanz nuclear facility
    Anti-aircraft guns guarding Natanz nuclear facility
  • Natanz Stone Fortress
    Natanz Stone Fortress
  • Natanz mosque next to the old Chenar
    Natanz mosque next to the old Chenar
  • Ancient tree of Natanz
    Ancient tree of Natanz
  • Portal of Abd al-Samad complex
    Portal of Abd al-Samad complex


See also

References
  1. OpenStreetMap contributors (21 June 2023). "Natanz, Natanz County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  2. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 10. Archived from the original (Excel) on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. Natanz can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3076691" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
  4. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 10. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  5. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)" (Excel). Iran Data Portal (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 10. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  6. Bamford, James. "The Secret War." Wired. June 12, 2013. "2. Retrieved on June 14, 2013.
  7. The place where Darius III was murdered by his relative, the satrap Bessus, is believed by historians to lie in the region of Ahevanu in Semnan province, much more to the east and north than Natanz.
  8. "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007) and 1803 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran, September 15, 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  9. "Iran's key nuclear sites". BBC News. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  10. "Iran will continue 20% enrichment at Fordo, Natanz: official". Tehran Times. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  11. "Iran nuclear deal: Key points". BBC News. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  12. "Satellite photos show activity at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility". The Independent. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  13. Murphy, Francois (8 March 2021). "Iran enriching with new set of advanced machines at Natanz: IAEA". Reuters. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  14. Zetter, Kim; Modderkolk, Huib (2 September 2019). "Revealed: How a secret Dutch mole aided the U.S.-Israeli Stuxnet cyberattack on Iran". Yahoo News. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  15. Sanger, David E. (2 June 2012). "Mutually Assured Cyberdestruction?". The New York Times Company.
  16. "Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility". Associated Press. 2 July 2020.
  17. "Mysterious Explosion and Fire Damage Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Facility". The New York Times. 2 July 2020.
  18. "Report: Israeli cyberattack caused Iran nuclear site fire, F35s hit missile base". The Times of Israel. 3 July 2020.
  19. "Iran threatens retaliation after what it calls possible cyber attack on nuclear site". Reuters. 3 July 2020.
  20. 'Accident' at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility after centrifuge activation
  21. "Electrical Problem Strikes Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  22. "Reports: Mossad Behind Iran Attack". Hamodia. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  23. "Iran state TV identifies man it says was behind blast at Natanz nuclear site". Reuters. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  24. "Iran Names Suspect in Natanz Attack, Says He Fled Country". U.S. News & World Report. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  25. "Visit Natanz Tourist Attractions, Historical & Natural | Destination Iran". www.destinationiran.com. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  26. "NATANZ Geography Population Map cities coordinates location - Tageo.com". www.tageo.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  27. "buying saffron Archives". Iranian Saffron supplier and exporter. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  28. Iroonia, Mr (5 July 2020). "60 years old saffron cultivation in TorqRud area of Natanz city". Iranian Saffron supplier and exporter. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  29. "Visit Natanz Tourist Attractions, Historical & Natural | Destination Iran". www.destinationiran.com. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
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