Iran Could Restart Uranium Enrichment Within Months, Says UN Nuclear Chief
Iran Could Restart Uranium Enrichment in Months, Warns IAEA Chief
June 2025 — Tehran / Vienna:
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that Iran could restart the enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade levels within a few months, reigniting concerns over the country’s nuclear intentions following recent military escalations.
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that Iran retains the technical and industrial capacity to resume significant enrichment activities, despite targeted U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on key nuclear sites earlier this month.
“If they want to, they could spin a few centrifuge cascades and begin enrichment in a matter of months,” Grossi told CBS News in an interview on Saturday.
U.S. & Israel Strikes Questioned
Earlier this month, Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, claiming Iran was dangerously close to developing a nuclear weapon. The U.S. joined shortly after, targeting three major sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “completely destroyed,” Grossi contradicted that assessment:
“To be honest, no one can claim that everything is gone and nothing remains.”
According to experts and intelligence leaks from the Pentagon, the airstrikes may have set Iran’s program back by only a few months, not years as initially claimed.
Iran Rejects IAEA Inspections
Iran has since refused to cooperate with IAEA (UN Nuclear) inspectors. Its parliament recently voted to suspend collaboration with the agency, accusing it of siding with Israel and the United States. Iran also denied IAEA requests to inspect the bombed sites, calling Grossi’s insistence “meaningless and potentially malicious.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran faced “serious and excessive damage,” while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the strikes as a military failure that “achieved nothing.”
Ceasefire, But Tensions Remain
A temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel is now in effect, though uncertainty looms. President Trump warned he would “absolutely” consider further military action if intelligence reports confirm Iran is resuming dangerous levels of uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Chief of Staff Abdulrahim Mousavi warned on state television that Tehran remains skeptical about Israel’s commitment to the truce and is prepared to respond “with full force” to any future aggression.
“We didn’t start this war, but we’ve answered with strength — and we’re ready to do so again,” Mousavi said.
What’s Next for Iran’s Nuclear Program?
Under the now-defunct 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), Iran was only permitted to enrich uranium up to 3.67% purity — well below weapons-grade. That agreement also restricted enrichment at Fordow for 15 years. However, the Trump administration withdrew from the deal in 2018, reinstating heavy sanctions.
In response, Iran began violating several of the deal’s terms, including resuming enrichment at Fordow. By 2021, the IAEA estimated that Iran had stockpiled enough 60% enriched uranium to potentially build nine nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Tehran continues to insist that its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes.
Grossi Calls for Diplomacy
Despite the tensions, Rafael Grossi remains hopeful that dialogue is still possible:
“At the end of the day, military action must give way to a lasting diplomatic solution. I intend to sit down with Iran and address this seriously.”
However, with inspectors blocked, facilities damaged, and trust broken, the path forward remains dangerously unclear.
Table of Contents
1. Has Iran resumed uranium enrichment?
Not officially — but the IAEA warns Iran has the capacity to do so within a few months if it chooses to.
2. What did the U.S. and Israel target in their strikes?
Three major nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — though none were fully destroyed, according to international observers.
What is Iran’s official stance on its nuclear program?
Iran insists its nuclear efforts are entirely peaceful and aimed at generating energy — not developing weapons.
