Posted on 06/28/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
Despite a recent bombing campaign by Israel and subsequent strikes by the United States targeting its nuclear facilities, Iran could resume enriched uranium production "in a matter of months," according to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Speaking to CBS News, with a transcript released Saturday and the interview to air in full on Sunday, Grossi stated that while some Iranian nuclear facilities suffered damage, "some is still standing."
He elaborated, "They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that."
Israel initiated a bombing campaign on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, asserting its objective was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The United States subsequently joined the offensive, striking three key facilities involved in Tehran's atomic program.
A significant concern for the international community is the status of Iran's estimated 408.6kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium. This material, enriched to 60 percent, surpasses civilian usage levels and, if further refined, could theoretically be sufficient for more than nine nuclear bombs.
Grossi admitted to CBS, "We don't know where this material could be." He added, "So some could have been destroyed as part of the attack, but some could have been moved. So there has to be at some point a clarification."
Adding to the opacity, Iranian lawmakers have voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, and Tehran has rejected Grossi's request for a visit to the damaged sites, particularly Fordow, the primary uranium enrichment facility.