Israeli Official: Potential Recovery of Enriched Uranium in Iran Post-US Strikes

An Israeli official has indicated that Iran might manage to recover enriched uranium from the remains of its nuclear facilities targeted by US strikes, while US intelligence reflects a more measured view on the extent of the destruction.

Iran could potentially recover enriched uranium from its Isfahan facility, which was one of the three nuclear sites struck by US forces in June, according to a senior official from Israel. At a briefing in Washington, the unnamed official relayed that while the recovery would be challenging, any Iranian effort to do so would likely trigger further Israeli military actions. The US President, Donald Trump, has firmly asserted that the strikes, known as "Operation Midnight Hammer," completely obliterated these nuclear facilities, although certain US intelligence assessments suggest otherwise.

The speculation about the availability of enriched uranium stems from the belief that much of it may be buried beneath the Isfahan site. Contrasting perspectives emerge, with some US intelligence reports indicating that while the damage was significant at Isfahan and other sites such as Fordo and Natanz, they were not utterly destroyed. CIA Director John Ratcliffe previously pointed out that the ability to produce metallic uranium has been significantly impaired, yet parts of the facilities remain operational.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), echoed this stance, noting that even though the sites were heavily impacted, it would be inaccurate to claim that they were completely annihilated. Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian has also acknowledged that access to these sites is now severely limited, complicating any full assessment of their current conditions.

The ongoing tension highlights the precarious dynamics in the region where military strikes and nuclear capabilities intersect. Speculation regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions continues as global leaders monitor the developments closely. The situation underscores the delicate balance of power and the challenges inherent in international diplomacy surrounding nuclear proliferation.