• Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif confirms receipt of explosive-laden centrifuge platforms supplied by Israel.
• The acknowledgment underscores Israel's sophisticated sabotage efforts against Iran's nuclear program.
• This development occurs as tensions rise amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and fears of Iranian nuclear advancement.
• Iran’s response highlights challenges posed by Western sanctions, with concerns about potential military actions by Israel.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — In a startling revelation, top Iranian official Mohammad Javad Zarif has publicly acknowledged for the first time that Israel supplied Iran with centrifuge platforms containing explosives, shedding light on the intricate sabotage tactics employed against the Islamic Republic. The remarks, made during an interview with a program linked to the Institute for the Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, serve as a stark reminder of the serious challenges Iran faces amidst escalating (AP News) and Western sanctions targeting its nuclear enrichment efforts.

Zarif, who has previously served as Iran's foreign minister and is currently the vice president for strategic affairs under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, aimed to address the discontent among the Iranian population regarding their government's struggles under heavy sanctions. His comments also referenced a 2021 sabotage attack on Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility, an operation that has been linked to Israeli intelligence.

The acknowledgment comes against a backdrop of tension, particularly as Israel has carried out multiple strikes against Iranian interests during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This raises fears that Israeli operations could extend to Iranian nuclear sites as global political dynamics shift, especially with the anticipated return of former President Donald Trump to the U.S. political scene.

"This is part of the damage of sanctions, that you are forced to receive purchases through multiple dealers instead of buying from a factory directly," Zarif said, explaining the complexities of Iran's procurement methods under sanctions. He elaborated on how Israeli operatives could infiltrate these procurement lines, thereby jeopardizing national security.

This marked the first clear indication from an Iranian official of the extent of Israeli infiltration into Iran's nuclear infrastructure, suggesting that Israeli intelligence service Mossad has significantly compromised Iran's atomic endeavors.

Past incidents at the Natanz facility, including an explosion in July 2020, which Iran attributed to Israeli intervention, underscore the high-stakes environment surrounding Iran's nuclear activities. The ongoing tension has intensified since the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from a nuclear accord in 2018, which previously aimed to restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Pezeshkian, in a recent interview, reiterated Iran's commitment to peaceful nuclear development, despite the enriched uranium levels nearing weapon-grade. He expressed frustration over the lack of international commitments from other parties, stating, "It’s not the dialogue we are concerned about; it's the adherence to agreements that troubles us."

Concerns persist that Israel may undertake preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, a strategy it has employed successfully in the past against perceived threats in Iraq and Syria. Amid these growing tensions, Zarif emphasized that while Iran does not seek war, it resolutely maintains its right to defend itself.

For more details, visit the (Los Angeles Times) and [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-israel-sabotage-centrifuges-gaza-war-fed9c52e6826cb495d602d8ce43a1047).