Following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, an Israeli official has indicated that Iran could possibly access buried enriched uranium, raising alarms about potential repercussions and future military action.
Concerns Grow Over Iran's Potential Uranium Recovery After US Strikes
Concerns Grow Over Iran's Potential Uranium Recovery After US Strikes
An Israeli official suggests that Iran may be able to recover enriched uranium from missile-struck nuclear facilities, prompting fears of renewed conflict.
Recent statements by a senior Israeli official have heightened concerns regarding Iran's ability to recover enriched uranium from its nuclear facilities, which were the targets of US strikes last month. The official, who requested anonymity, revealed during a briefing in Washington that intelligence suggests a significant amount of enriched uranium is located at the Isfahan facility, one of three sites affected during Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22.
Despite claims from US President Donald Trump that the air and missile strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capacity, the Israeli official pointed out that while recovery would be challenging, it could lead to further Israeli military operations if attempted. The US government has been adamant that the strikes effectively dismantled Iran's nuclear infrastructure; however, intelligence reports have offered a more tempered view.
A leaked preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency indicated extensive damage at the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan sites, yet none were completely destroyed. CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted that the operations compromised Iran’s capability to produce metallic uranium, crucial for nuclear weapon development.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi corroborated that while the targeted sites were significantly impacted, they were not entirely incapacitated. "Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared," he stated.
In a recent interview, Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the severe damage to the facilities, affirming a lack of access at this stage and emphasizing the difficulties in assessing the full ramifications of the strikes.
As the international community remains on alert, these developments underline the precarious nature of regional security and the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.
