ERBIL, Iraq — President Donald Trump declared that U.S. airstrikes had “completely and fully obliterated” key Iranian nuclear facilities. However, questions remain about the actual extent of damage, especially at deeply buried sites, and the whereabouts of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%—material that could potentially be used in nuclear weapons.According to Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Fordo and Natanz enrichment sites were visibly hit by U.S. B-2 bombers using “bunker buster” munitions, while Isfahan’s uranium conversion facility was targeted by Tomahawk missiles. While surface-level damage is evident, Grossi said inspectors still cannot assess underground damage, especially at Fordo, and called for renewed access to all Iranian nuclear sites.Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. believes the uranium is still stored underground in Isfahan, though some experts disagree. Nuclear nonproliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis criticized the strikes as insufficient, pointing out that key underground tunnels and production facilities remained intact.Satellite images from Maxar Technologies showed suspicious movement of cargo trucks just before the Fordo attack, suggesting Iran may have preemptively moved materials.Iranian officials have responded defiantly. Top adviser Ali Shamkhani said Iran’s knowledge, materials, and will to pursue nuclear capabilities remain. Social monitoring group FilterLabs reported growing support within Iran for acquiring nuclear weapons, based on the belief that it would deter foreign attacks.Darya Dolzikova, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, emphasized that military action alone cannot erase Iran’s nuclear program, which relies on decades of indigenous expertise and could be rebuilt over time.
