Once more, Iran has communicated its intention to escalate the enhancement of its uranium reserves, which are nearly on par with the quality required for weaponry. This declaration follows a bombing campaign by the United States. The potential for survival of some of Iran’s nuclear fuel after the US assault was previously suggested by Israel. The US bombing raids, referred to as Operation Midnight Hammer, took place during the conflict period known as the 12-Day War one month ago.
During Operation Midnight Hammer, American B-2 Spirit bombers dropped a series of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster bombs. Despite acknowledging that these attacks caused ‘profound and significant’ destruction, Tehran has asserted that it will not be deterred from enhancing uranium. Iran contends that the sole purpose of this activity is to support peaceful civil operations.
Iran currently maintains uranium enriched to 60%, which significantly exceeds the threshold required for civilian applications but is somewhat under the grade required for weaponry. It is argued that if this material were to undergo further refinement to the 90% mark, it might theoretically provide the basis for manufacturing more than nine nuclear devices.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who is part of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, communicated to Mehr News Agency that Iran’s uranium enrichment process will not be disrupted. He asserted, ‘This enrichment activity is our country’s undeterred right and will continue according to our nation’s necessities. No bombing campaign can obliterate this knowledge; it only grows stronger as a result.’
Simultaneously, it has been determined that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have concurred on the reestablishment of stringent United Nations sanctions towards Iran by the end of August unless tangible advancement in achieving a nuclear agreement is evident.
Ali Velayati, acting as an adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as quoted by the state news agency IRNA, indicated that negotiations with the US would be unlikely if uranium enrichment cessation is a pre-requisite. Furthermore, Boroujerdi emphasized, ‘The West’s demand for zero enrichment is one to which we will not surrender.’
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a leading global authority on nuclear policy, has cautioned that Iran might recommence uranium enrichment within months. Uncertainties linger as to whether Iran clandestinely withdrew 408.6 kgs of uranium from its most sensitive facilities prior to the US bombardments, thereby possibly relocating nuclear material elsewhere within its territory.
An official from Israel expressed no anxiety regarding the residual cache of nuclear material in Iran, maintaining that any recovery attempt would be detected by Israeli intelligence. The IAEA’s chief, Rafael Grossi, however, conceded the possibility of Iran’s possession of undisclosed stockpiles of enriched uranium.
Grossi expressed his concern, saying, ‘We are currently uncertain as to the location of these possible stockpiles. Therefore, there must eventually be resolution of this matter.’ He highlighted the necessity to ascertain the facts, find where the stockpiles are, and determine what transpired.
As a reminder, the 12-Day War began on June 13, following the launch of Operation Rising Lion by Israel. This sophisticated aerial bombing campaign focused primarily on military nuclear facilities within Iran.
In response, Iran initiated a retaliatory series of daily ballistic missile launches that targeted Israel, although these fell short of reaching any strategies of importance.
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