Iran could start enriching uranium again within "a few months", says the IAEA.
"Extensive damage, but not complete"
Iran has the technical capacity to start enriching uranium again within "a few months", said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "There has been significant damage, but not complete [...] They can have [...] within a few months I would say, centrifuges in action to produce enriched uranium," Grossi said on CBS.
A "legendary success", according to Trump
The IAEA's finding contrasts with President Trump's triumphant declarations following the US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on June 22. He repeatedly described the American offensive as a "legendary success" and "total destruction". In his view, the attacks delayed Iran's nuclear program by "several decades".
A leak of information from the DIA
Based on leaked information from the Pentagon's intelligence agency (DIA), US media had already revealed on June 25 that US air strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites had not completely destroyed the key infrastructure of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The nuclear project would only be delayed by a few months, reported this assessment.
"The conditions to end the war"
"Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, decimating – choose your word – obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities," Hegseth added during a heated (bordering on unhinged) press conference, aligning himself with the president's words on the matter.
Tehran's declarations
Meanwhile, in Iran, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that the strikes had achieved nothing significant. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the damage caused by the US strikes as "excessive and serious".
Trump says nuclear stockpiles have not been moved
In an interview on Fox News, Trump assured that Iran's uranium stockpiles had not been moved prior to the US strikes.
IAEA calls for access to Iranian uranium stocks
However, IAEA inspectors have not seen these reserves since June 10, hence the UN agency's requests for access to Iranian sites and uranium stockpiles.
Tehran ends cooperation with IAEA
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has asked to inspect the damaged facilities. However, Teheran rejected the request and voted to suspend relations with the IAEA, accusing it of siding with Israel and the United States by failing to condemn the attacks on Iran.