Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, has warned that Iran could be capable of restarting enriched uranium production “within a matter of months,” despite recent damage to its nuclear facilities from US and Israeli strikes, CBS News reported on Saturday.
Israel launched a series of unprovoked airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, aiming to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons—a claim Iran has repeatedly denied. Following this, the US conducted bombings on three major sites linked to Iran’s atomic programme.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the damage was “serious,” but details remain unclear.
US President Donald Trump insisted the strikes had set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back “decades.” However, Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that “some facilities are still operational.”
He said in an interview that Iran could have centrifuge cascades spinning and producing enriched uranium within months, or possibly even sooner.
A key uncertainty remains whether Iran managed to relocate any of its estimated 408.6 kilogrammes (900 pounds) of highly enriched uranium before the attacks. This uranium is reportedly enriched to about 60 per cent — well above civilian levels but below weapons grade—and, according to reports, could theoretically yield enough material for over nine nuclear bombs if further processed.
Grossi told CBS, “We don’t know where this material could be. Some may have been destroyed, but some might have been moved. This requires clarification.”
Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers have voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, and Tehran has refused Grossi’s request to inspect the damaged sites, particularly Fordo, the main enrichment facility. “We must be able to verify what is present, where it is, and what transpired,” Grossi said.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump expressed scepticism that Iran moved the uranium stockpile, stating, “It’s very hard to do, and we didn’t give much notice. They didn’t move anything.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington’s support for the IAEA’s verification work in Iran, praising Grossi and his team for their professionalism.
