Newsletters
Amid growing concerns over the status of Iran’s nuclear program, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the agency does not know the current location of approximately 900 pounds (around 400 kilograms) of potentially enriched uranium, following reports from Iranian officials that the material had been moved as a precautionary measure ahead of recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, three informed sources told Reuters that a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded the American strikes earlier this week set Iran’s nuclear program back by only a few months. According to two of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the classified nature of the information, the report was prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency—one of 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and the primary intelligence arm of the Department of Defense.
One source added that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles were not destroyed, and the program may have been delayed by just one or two months.
This secret assessment contrasts with statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump and senior American officials. Trump told CNN that he did not believe the enriched uranium at Iranian sites had been removed before the U.S. strikes late last week, remarks made alongside NATO secretary-general at a meeting in the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Trump said, “They didn’t get a chance to remove anything because we acted quickly. Maybe if it had taken two weeks … but removing such material is very difficult, even extremely dangerous for them. Furthermore, they knew we were coming, and if they had known, they wouldn’t have been there.”
Some initial evaluations raised questions about whether the U.S. destroyed the majority of the enriched nuclear material.
Trump added that Iran would not have agreed to a cease-fire with Israel if the strike had not succeeded, stating: “It was a devastating attack, it confused them, and as you know, if it hadn’t happened, they wouldn’t have settled.”
He did not rule out further strikes on Iran if it rebuilds its nuclear program but said this scenario is unlikely: “I wouldn’t worry about that, it ended years ago, and it’s very difficult to rebuild because everything collapsed.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested that Iran’s estimated 400 kilograms of enriched uranium remain intact despite the successful American strikes, noting reports that Iranian authorities moved it to an undisclosed location.
In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, “The location of the hidden uranium is not the main concern for Washington right now,” emphasizing that the primary goal of the strikes was “to eliminate enrichment operations and remove the capability to convert enriched fuel into nuclear weapons.”
It is noteworthy that on June 25, 2025, the Iranian parliament approved a draft law to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following Israeli and American attacks on its nuclear facilities.
The bill was supported by 221 out of 223 parliament members and requires ratification by the Guardian Council and approval from the Supreme National Security Council.
1 min read
1 min read
