IAEA Chief Warns: Iran Could Restart Uranium Enrichment Within Months

• Iran may resume uranium enrichment soon
• IAEA sounds alarm on Iran’s capabilities
• Nuclear risk rises after attacks

According to EFE news agency, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated on Sunday that Iran could restart its uranium enrichment program within a matter of months, contradicting the official U.S. assessment following recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

In an interview with CBS News, Grossi explained that Iran’s technical and industrial capabilities remain sufficient to reactivate the centrifuges necessary to produce enriched uranium.

Despite the significant damage caused by U.S. airstrikes on June 22, the IAEA chief emphasized that the strikes did not entirely eliminate Iran’s nuclear program capabilities.

The United States carried out the operation, dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” targeting nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow in an attempt to curb the advancement of Tehran’s atomic program.

Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities Remain Intact

President Donald Trump hailed the mission as a resounding success, asserting that it had dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

However, a leaked U.S. intelligence report indicated the operation merely delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months.

When questioned about this discrepancy, Grossi was cautious yet firm: “The capabilities they have are there. They could have, within a matter of months, several cascades of centrifuges producing enriched uranium—or even sooner.”

Grossi added that the full extent of the damage would only become clear once Iranian authorities clear away debris and conduct detailed inspections.

IAEA Warns on Uranium Enrichment

Grossi underscored that the IAEA’s role is not to assess military damage but to reestablish international monitoring of nuclear activities and ensure access to nuclear materials that could be produced if Iran resumes enrichment.

He also warned of mounting political tension in Iran following the U.S. offensive.

Last Thursday, Iran’s Guardian Council approved a plan to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, pending only the signature of President Masud Pezeshkian to make it official.

“I hope that won’t be the case,” said Grossi, stressing the urgency of keeping channels of dialogue open and allowing international inspectors to return “as soon as possible.”

Diplomacy to Avert Nuclear Crisis

Grossi insisted that the only long-term solution to avoid a nuclear crisis in the region is a negotiated diplomatic settlement among the parties.

He highlighted that, although the strikes partially destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, the country’s technical knowledge and industrial capacity remain intact.

“Iran had a very ambitious program, and part of it might still exist. If not, it’s also evident that the knowledge remains,” he stated.

Grossi noted that Iran is a “very sophisticated country in terms of nuclear technology,” making it entirely possible that it could reactivate its program.

Iran’s Uranium Enrichment and International Tensions

The official also stressed that the IAEA does not issue judgments about political or military intentions of states and declined to say whether Iran is actively seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

“We have not seen a program pointing directly in that direction, but at the same time, they haven’t answered very important questions that remain pending. That’s the truth,” Grossi said.

His statements come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following intensified sanctions, mutual threats, and growing international concern over a potential resurgence of nuclear proliferation.

The international community is watching with increasing anxiety as relations between Iran and the West continue to deteriorate, raising fears of a new nuclear arms race in the region.