An Israeli official revealed on Thursday that Iran’s nuclear materials, specifically uranium enriched to 60 percent, remain in place at key sites including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. These locations were struck by the United States during last month’s confrontation with Iran, which followed a nearly two-week conflict between Jerusalem and Tehran. Despite the strikes, intelligence suggests the uranium stockpile has neither been relocated nor removed.
According to the same source, Iran’s reserves, which amount to approximately 400 kilograms (880 pounds), are still at the sites. Speaking to Reuters, the official noted that while Iran might be able to access some of the material at Isfahan, extracting it would be highly challenging.
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, in Washington this week, reiterated Israel’s ongoing alarm over Iran’s uranium supplies during an appearance on Fox Business. When questioned about whether Iran may have hidden any nuclear materials, Netanyahu stated, “We think we know where it is, it’s sort of buried underground, and we don’t have contrary information.”
Netanyahu explained that Israel deliberately chose not to target the enriched uranium directly during the military campaign. “The one thing that we didn’t deal with that we knew we didn’t deal with was the enriched uranium,” he said.
He emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to maintain access to that material. “So it has to be made clear to them, and I think it has been, that they don’t get this enriched uranium,” he said.
Although he clarified that enriched uranium alone cannot produce nuclear weapons, Netanyahu said it remains a vital part of the process. “It’s a necessary component, but it’s not sufficient,” he explained. Israel, he continued, wants that component to be closely monitored. “We want that necessary component to be under control too,” he said. “I think the Iranians understand that what the US and Israel did once we could do twice, and thrice.”
When asked why Iran wouldn’t simply restart its nuclear program, Netanyahu responded bluntly: “Because they’re afraid.”
President Donald Trump echoed this sentiment, asserting that Iran had no opportunity to evacuate the enriched uranium prior to the US attack. He claimed the materials were stored beneath granite, making rapid removal impossible.
Nonetheless, reports from both American and European intelligence sources cast doubt on that assessment, suggesting the nuclear material might have been relocated before the airstrikes occurred and that the facilities were not completely destroyed.
On June 13, Israel launched a broad and forceful operation targeting top Iranian defense figures, nuclear engineers, uranium enrichment facilities, and missile infrastructure. Israeli leaders described the campaign as necessary to block Iran’s intentions to annihilate the Jewish state.
Though Iranian officials continue to deny aspirations for nuclear arms, their enrichment of uranium to 60% — well beyond what is required for civilian energy purposes — has drawn international concern. Israeli intelligence asserts that Tehran has taken concrete steps toward turning that material into weapons.
Following the military exchange, Iran cut all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. President Masoud Pezeshkian signed legislation terminating coordination with the IAEA, leading the UN body to withdraw its final inspectors from the country.
On Thursday, Pezeshkian criticized the IAEA, demanding an end to what he called biased treatment. If that doesn’t happen, he said, Iran won’t resume collaboration. His comments were reported by Iranian state media.
The diplomatic relationship between Tehran and the IAEA has steadily deteriorated in the wake of the US and Israeli strikes.
“The continuation of Iran’s cooperation with the agency (IAEA) depends on the latter correcting its double standards regarding the nuclear file,” Pezeshkian reportedly told European Council President Antonio Costa during a phone call.
He also warned of future consequences if further attacks occur. “Any repeated aggression (against Iran) will be met with a more decisive and regrettable response,” he said.
Iran has accused the IAEA of effectively giving the green light for the attacks by denouncing Tehran’s violations of nuclear non-proliferation agreements. Iranian officials argue the agency failed to condemn the military actions and instead exacerbated tensions.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said Wednesday that Israel must capitalize on the momentum from the recent campaign to prevent Iran from restoring its nuclear program.
“We need to formulate an enforcement program to prevent Iran from reviving the capabilities it had before [the war],” Katz stated.
He added that Tehran is undoubtedly working to regroup and adapt. “The Iranians will try in every possible way to learn their lessons and recover,” he said. “The enemy is learning and preparing — and our challenge is to step up our abilities so that we are not taken by surprise.”
{Matzav.com}