Following recent U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran is likely to resume enriched uranium production within a few months, according to Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“They could have, within a few months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that,” Grossi told CBS News.
Damage Assessment and Iranian Capabilities
Grossi stated that it is clear the U.S. attacks caused “severe damage, but it’s not total damage,” adding that Iran possesses the “industrial and technological capacities, and if they wish, they will be able to start this again.”
“Iran had a very extensive, ambitious program, and part of it may still be there, and if not, there is also the self-evident truth that the knowledge is there. The industrial capacity is there. Iran is a very sophisticated country in terms of nuclear technology, as is clear. So, you cannot dismantle this,” Grossi explained.
He also mentioned that the IAEA found unexplained traces of uranium at undeclared sites in Iran, but they had no credible answers regarding their origin or location.
Recent Attacks and Diplomatic Fallout
On June 22, the United States dropped six bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow nuclear plant and launched dozens of cruise missile strikes on sites in Natanz and Isfahan, as part of its campaign against Iran’s nuclear program. Following these attacks, President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed reports suggesting that Iran’s nuclear programs were only set back by a few months rather than “disappearing,” as initially claimed by the United States.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, acknowledged that the recent U.S. and Israeli bombings caused serious damage to the country’s nuclear sites. Araghchi stated on Saturday that Iran would bar Grossi from entering the country, a move condemned by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A twelve-day conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13 and ceased under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect on June 24.
