Iran has the capability to resume uranium enrichment for nuclear weapon potential “in a matter of months,” according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). His comments follow recent US airstrikes on three Iranian sites, which caused significant but “not total” damage, countering former President Donald Trump’s assertion that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “totally obliterated.”
“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there,” Grossi stated during a recent interview with CBS News. The strikes, which targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites on June 13, came amid concerns over Iran’s proximity to developing a nuclear weapon. The US joined the military action by bombing three key facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Grossi highlighted that Tehran possesses the “industrial and technological capacities” to restart uranium enrichment if it chooses to do so. He noted that Iran could have “a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium” within months.
This assessment aligns with earlier information from a leaked Pentagon report, which suggested that the US strikes may only have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a matter of months. Future intelligence updates may provide further clarity on the actual impact of the strikes.
In a swift rebuttal, Trump claimed that Iran’s nuclear sites were “completely destroyed” and accused the media of trying to undermine what he considered one of the most successful military operations in history. Currently, Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire; however, Trump has indicated he would “absolutely” consider further military action against Iran if evidence suggests they are enriching uranium to dangerous levels. Iranian armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi expressed skepticism about Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire.
In a recent statement, Iranian official Mousavi emphasized that while Iran did not initiate the conflict, it will respond vigorously to any further aggression, expressing skepticism about the enemy’s adherence to the ceasefire agreement. Reports indicate that Tehran is gradually returning to normalcy, although its citizens remain unsettled.
The situation escalated as tensions spurred US and Israeli military strikes against Iran, which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed achieved no significant results. Conversely, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported that the strikes caused “excessive and serious” damage.
Iran’s relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has further deteriorated, especially after the Iranian parliament decided to suspend cooperation with the agency, alleging a bias in favor of Israel and the US. Tehran has also declined the IAEA’s request to inspect the affected facilities. Araghchi remarked on social media that IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi’s insistence on visiting the bombed sites is “meaningless” and could be interpreted as having malign intentions.
The backdrop to these events includes a recent IAEA report indicating Iran’s breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Despite the ongoing challenges, Grossi expressed hope for future negotiations with Iran, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution post-military strikes.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran was restricted from enriching uranium beyond 3.67% purity for commercial nuclear energy and prohibited from enrichment activities at its Fordo facility for 15 years. However, the US withdrew from the agreement under the Trump administration in 2018 and reinstated sanctions. In retaliation, Iran has progressively violated these restrictions, including resuming enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and, according to IAEA reports, accumulating enough 60%-enriched uranium to potentially produce nine nuclear bombs.