IAEA chief Rafael Grossi's comments appear to support an early assessment from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency.
The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has issued a warning that Iran could resume uranium enrichment in just a few months. This statement comes in contrast to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s bold claim that Iran's nuclear capabilities were “completely and totally obliterated” following U.S. airstrikes.
U.S. Strikes Fell Short
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told CBS News that Iran still retains key capabilities. He explained that, although significant damage was inflicted, it wasn't enough to eliminate Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Grossi’s remarks appear to back up an earlier Pentagon intelligence report. The Defense Intelligence Agency had assessed that the strikes likely delayed Iran’s program by only a few months, not decades, as Trump previously claimed.
A Rapid Recovery Is Possible
Grossi stated Iran still has both the technology and the industrial capacity to resume its enrichment operations. “If they choose to, Iran could restart uranium enrichment in a matter of months—maybe less,” he said.
He warned against underestimating Iran’s capabilities. “This hourglass approach with weapons of mass destruction is risky,” Grossi added. “You can't assume everything has been wiped out.”
Disagreement Within U.S. Ranks
While Trump has maintained that Operation Midnight Hammer was a total success, military officials have been more cautious. Some Republican lawmakers acknowledged in briefings that not all of Iran's nuclear material was destroyed. However, they argued that destroying it wasn't part of the mission’s goal.
The Washington Post also reported intercepted Iranian communications, in which Iranian officials admitted the U.S. attacks were less destructive than anticipated.
Concerns Over Transparency
Grossi emphasized that the IAEA had good access to Iran’s declared facilities before the strikes. However, he expressed concern about Iran's lack of clarity on several key issues.
“There were some unresolved questions,” Grossi explained. “We found enriched uranium particles in places not officially declared. For years, we’ve asked why, but we’ve never received credible answers.”
He added that although Iran was generally cooperative before the strikes, some information remained hidden. The agency had no visibility into materials possibly moved ahead of the attacks.
Material May Have Been Moved
The Pentagon suggested that Iran could have relocated enriched uranium before the attacks. Grossi agreed that this is a possibility. “If they took precautionary steps, moving materials might have been one,” he said.
Trump, however, dismissed this idea. He insists that no materials were relocated and that the entire program was crushed.
Still, Grossi urged caution. “We don’t know exactly where the material is or whether it was destroyed,” he said.
Growing Tensions With International Oversight
Following the strikes, Iran's stance toward international nuclear oversight has hardened. The Iranian parliament recently passed a bill to halt cooperation with the IAEA.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran might even reconsider its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Withdrawal from the NPT would be a significant escalation, as the treaty forbids the development of nuclear weapons.
A Call for Access and Transparency
Grossi has called for renewed access to Iranian nuclear facilities. He stressed that the IAEA needs to verify the full extent of Iran’s nuclear activities to ensure global security.
“We had a perfect view of centrifuges and material,” he said.
“But other areas remain blurred. Clarification is critical.”
The Iran Nuclear Question Remains
The future of Iran’s nuclear program hangs in a delicate balance. While military strikes disrupted some infrastructure, Iran retains enough capacity to bounce back quickly. The global community now faces a renewed challenge: how to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions before they re-emerge stronger than before.
