The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that Iran could restart enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels within just a few months, raising fresh concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told CBS News that despite recent military strikes, Iran still possesses the industrial and technological capability to resume high-level enrichment. “They could have a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium in a matter of months,” Grossi said.
His comments challenge recent claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who insisted that joint Israeli-U.S. strikes had “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Grossi disputed this, stating, “One cannot claim that everything has disappeared. That’s simply not the case.”
Earlier this month, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites on June 13, asserting that Tehran was nearing the production of a nuclear weapon. The United States followed up with coordinated strikes on key nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
While Iran has downplayed the impact, calling the attacks ineffective, Western intelligence and leaked Pentagon assessments suggest the strikes likely only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months.
Amid these tensions, Iran has sent mixed signals. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed the attacks were largely unsuccessful, whereas Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted the damage was “excessive and serious.” Iran’s armed forces chief, Abdolrahim Mousavi, warned that Tehran remains ready to retaliate if Israel breaches the current ceasefire.
Complicating matters further, Iran’s parliament recently voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the agency of bias toward Israel and the U.S. Iran has since blocked international inspectors from visiting the targeted sites. Araghchi denounced Grossi’s inspection requests as “possibly malign in intent.”
Despite the deteriorating relationship, Grossi emphasized the need for diplomacy. “After military strikes, a long-lasting solution can only be a diplomatic one,” he said, expressing hope for renewed engagement with Tehran.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely civilian, but has been ramping up enrichment since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. Under that agreement, Iran was restricted to enriching uranium to no more than 3.67% and barred from using the Fordo facility for 15 years. After the U.S. exited the pact in 2018, Iran gradually violated its terms, eventually enriching uranium to 60% — a level from which weapons-grade material is a short technical step away.
According to the IAEA, Iran has stockpiled enough 60%-enriched uranium for potentially nine nuclear weapons, if further refined. The international community now faces growing pressure to revive stalled nuclear talks and prevent further escalation.
