Israeli official challenges Trump claim of Iran nuclear destruction
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 12, 2025, 01:22 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
A senior Israeli official revealed that some of Iran's enriched uranium survived US airstrikes. This contradicts claims of complete obliteration. The uranium, enriched up to 60 percent, remains at Fordow and Isfahan. Moving it undetected would be difficult. The US destroyed many centrifuges, but Iran's program delay may be short. The IAEA seeks access to damaged facilities.
A senior Israeli official has revealed that portions of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile survived the United States’ airstrikes in June, directly contradicting former President Donald Trump’s declaration that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely and fully obliterated.”
Speaking anonymously to The New York Times, the official confirmed that uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity—just short of weapons-grade—remains intact beneath the rubble of key nuclear facilities in Fordow and Isfahan. The source emphasized that while the uranium is still hazardous, any attempt by Iran to extract and move it would be difficult to conceal from U.S. or Israeli intelligence.
“It would be nearly impossible for Iran to collect the uranium and transport it out without being spotted by U.S. or Israeli surveillance satellites,” the official stated. “Any such effort would likely invite further military strikes.”
The revelation suggests that Iran was able to move a significant portion of its nuclear materials ahead of the operation. However, additional enriched uranium is believed to remain underground at several sites, including Natanz, which was among the most heavily bombed during the strikes.
The coordinated assault, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to a post-strike assessment by the Pentagon, the U.S. managed to destroy or disable more than 18,000 centrifuges, significantly reducing Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity. However, intelligence assessments now estimate the delay to Iran’s nuclear program could last only several months to two years.
Despite these findings, Trump has publicly maintained that the mission was a sweeping success. “Iran will not have nuclear,” he said during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25. “We blew it up. It’s blown up to kingdom come.”
Iranian state media swiftly rejected Trump’s claims, vowing that uranium enrichment activities would continue without disruption.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors nuclear programs worldwide, has yet to regain full access to inspect Iran’s damaged facilities. Diplomatic sources say negotiations are ongoing, but tensions in the region have delayed progress.
While the surviving uranium is still below the 90 percent purity threshold needed for a nuclear weapon, concerns remain high among Western officials. Both U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies warn that Iran could rapidly ramp up its program if left unmonitored or unchecked.
As regional powers assess the long-term impact of the U.S. strikes, the question remains whether the operation merely paused Iran’s ambitions or permanently derailed them. For now, the existence of surviving enriched uranium challenges the narrative of a decisive American victory and raises new doubts about the durability of any claimed nuclear rollback.
Speaking anonymously to The New York Times, the official confirmed that uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity—just short of weapons-grade—remains intact beneath the rubble of key nuclear facilities in Fordow and Isfahan. The source emphasized that while the uranium is still hazardous, any attempt by Iran to extract and move it would be difficult to conceal from U.S. or Israeli intelligence.
“It would be nearly impossible for Iran to collect the uranium and transport it out without being spotted by U.S. or Israeli surveillance satellites,” the official stated. “Any such effort would likely invite further military strikes.”
The revelation suggests that Iran was able to move a significant portion of its nuclear materials ahead of the operation. However, additional enriched uranium is believed to remain underground at several sites, including Natanz, which was among the most heavily bombed during the strikes.
The coordinated assault, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to a post-strike assessment by the Pentagon, the U.S. managed to destroy or disable more than 18,000 centrifuges, significantly reducing Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity. However, intelligence assessments now estimate the delay to Iran’s nuclear program could last only several months to two years.
Despite these findings, Trump has publicly maintained that the mission was a sweeping success. “Iran will not have nuclear,” he said during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25. “We blew it up. It’s blown up to kingdom come.”
Iranian state media swiftly rejected Trump’s claims, vowing that uranium enrichment activities would continue without disruption.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors nuclear programs worldwide, has yet to regain full access to inspect Iran’s damaged facilities. Diplomatic sources say negotiations are ongoing, but tensions in the region have delayed progress.
While the surviving uranium is still below the 90 percent purity threshold needed for a nuclear weapon, concerns remain high among Western officials. Both U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies warn that Iran could rapidly ramp up its program if left unmonitored or unchecked.
As regional powers assess the long-term impact of the U.S. strikes, the question remains whether the operation merely paused Iran’s ambitions or permanently derailed them. For now, the existence of surviving enriched uranium challenges the narrative of a decisive American victory and raises new doubts about the durability of any claimed nuclear rollback.