Trump asserts ‘obliteration’ of Iran’s nuclear sites, yet questions arise about the missing uranium.

ERBIL, Iraq — President Donald Trump declared American airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities a resounding success, claiming that Iran’s key nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated.” However, the actual impact on deeply buried installations like Fordo, along with other sites at Isfahan and Natanz, remains uncertain. Notably, almost 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% are unaccounted for.

While power plants utilize uranium enriched to only 3%-5%, nuclear weapons require enrichment at levels of 90%. On Sunday, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the U.N.’s nuclear agency, indicated visible damage at both the Fordo and Natanz sites following the strikes, which involved B-2 bombers deploying GBU-57 bunker busters and Tomahawk missiles targeting Isfahan infrastructure.

Grossi reported craters at Fordo, the primary location for 60% uranium enrichment, and noted damage to tunnel entrances used for storing enriched material in Isfahan, alongside hits on facilities related to uranium conversion. Furthermore, the fuel enrichment plant at Natanz sustained attacks.

Despite the damage reported, Grossi mentioned that no one, including his agency, could assess the underground devastation at Fordo. He urged the return of inspectors to monitor stockpiles of uranium, particularly the missing 400 kilograms.

While U.S. intelligence and Israel seem certain about the locations of the highly enriched uranium, Grossi remarked that efforts to destroy the underground tunnels housing it have been minimal, with no sizeable actions taken against the adjacent facility at Natanz. In the aftermath, Tehran’s resolve to pursue nuclear capabilities appears undeterred.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, stated that the conflict would not diminish the country’s commitment to producing nuclear weapons. Additionally, a report from FilterLabs indicated that many Iranians believe possessing nuclear arms would have deterred the attacks on their facilities.

Experts warn that military interventions alone cannot fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Darya Dolzikova from the Royal United Services Institute cautioned that while military actions might delay progress, they do not eliminate the underlying knowledge and expertise Iran has developed over decades.

Even with physical infrastructure damaged, Iran’s extensive indigenous know-how allows it to potentially rebuild its nuclear program over time.