Israel Warns of Iran's Potential Recovery of Enriched Uranium Post US Strikes

Despite US claims of complete destruction, an Israeli official warns that Iran might access buried enriched uranium at Isfahan, signaling potential future tensions and renewed strikes.

Israel believes that the fallout from June’s US military actions against Iran might not be as debilitating as initially suggested. According to a senior Israeli official, Iran could possibly recover portions of enriched uranium from beneath one of the nuclear sites targeted by US forces. During a recent briefing in Washington, the official pointed out that the retrieval of this uranium, particularly at Isfahan, would involve significant difficulty. However, any attempt by Iran to recover the material would likely trigger further Israeli airstrikes.

Since the military operation dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer" on June 22, which involved an onslaught of US air and missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the narrative from US leadership has been one of triumph. President Donald Trump has been vocal about the supposed obliteration of Iranian nuclear capabilities, asserting that the strikes significantly neutralized Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This narrative has been echoed by White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, who reinforced Trump’s stance by asserting global safety had improved due to this military action.

However, US intelligence assessments present a more tempered view. Leaked reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency indicate that while the targeted nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—sustained severe damage, they were not entirely destroyed, countering the administration's assertions. Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe also noted that the destruction of the facility producing metallic uranium significantly impacted Iran's nuclear weapon development potential.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, echoed this sentiment, indicating that some structures from the targeted sites still remain intact. Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian also acknowledged the severe damage, stating that full assessments of the situation are currently unfeasible.

As tensions mount, Israel projects that Iran's nuclear programme has been set back by about two years. However, the risk of Iran accessing enriched uranium—which they claim is intended for peaceful purposes—remains a focal point of concern for Israeli officials and may lead to escalated military engagement in the future.