Iran Could Resume Uranium Enrichment for Nuclear Bomb in Months, UN Warns

Iran could restart enriching uranium to levels suitable for a nuclear bomb within months, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned, following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told CBS News that the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—last weekend caused significant but not total damage. He contradicted claims by US President Donald Trump that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “totally obliterated,” stating, “One cannot claim that everything has disappeared.”

Grossi said Iran retains the industrial and technological capacity to resume enriching uranium, potentially producing enough for a bomb in “a matter of months” if it chooses. A leaked Pentagon assessment earlier this week suggested the strikes may have only delayed Iran’s nuclear programme by months. The US and Israel targeted Iran’s facilities after the IAEA reported last month that Tehran had breached its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years. Israel’s initial strikes on 13 June were followed by US attacks, prompted by intelligence suggesting Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes. However, since Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has violated restrictions, resuming enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and stockpiling enough 60%-enriched uranium for potentially nine nuclear bombs, according to the IAEA. Tensions escalated this week when Iran’s parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, accusing it of bias towards the US and Israel. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Grossi’s request to inspect the damaged sites “meaningless” and possibly “malign.” Despite this, Grossi expressed hope for diplomatic negotiations, stating, “This whole thing, after the military strikes, will have to have a long-lasting solution, which cannot be but a diplomatic one.” Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, but distrust persists. Iran’s armed forces chief, Abdolrahim Mousavi, said Tehran was “ready to respond with force” if attacked again, citing doubts over Israel’s commitment to the truce. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, downplayed the strikes’ impact, while Araghchi admitted “serious” damage was done. Trump, celebrating what he called “one of the most successful military strikes in history,” warned he would “absolutely” consider further strikes if Iran resumes enrichment to dangerous levels. The situation remains volatile as Tehran recovers from the attacks, with residents shaken and the region on edge. The international community awaits further intelligence on the true extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme and the prospects for renewed diplomacy.