A senior Israeli official has confirmed that portions of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile survived recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. The attacks, which took place in June 2025, aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities but did not fully achieve that objective.The Economic Times+7Business Insider+7New York Post+7
Strikes on Key Nuclear Sites
The airstrikes focused on three major nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These facilities were believed to house significant quantities of enriched uranium, some of which had been processed to 60% purity—just short of weapons-grade levels. Despite the extensive bombing campaigns, including the use of advanced bunker-buster bombs, the strikes primarily damaged aboveground structures. Intelligence assessments indicate that the deeply buried uranium stockpiles at these sites remained largely intact.The Times of Israel+13Business Insider+13The Sun+13The Daily Beast+1The Economic Times+1AP News+2The Times of Israel+2New York Post+2
Survival of Enriched Uranium
According to the Israeli official, approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity were not removed from the targeted sites before the strikes. This material remains buried beneath rubble at Fordow and Isfahan. While the uranium is still physically present, retrieving it would be extremely challenging. The official noted that any attempt to recover the material would likely be detected by U.S. or Israeli surveillance satellites, potentially prompting further military responses.The Times of Israel+1Arms Control Association+1The Daily Beast+1The Economic Times+1
Intelligence Assessments
U.S. intelligence reports suggest that Iran had relocated a portion of its enriched uranium stockpile prior to the attacks. However, the Israeli official contends that much of the material remained at the targeted sites. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has assessed that the strikes have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by several months, but not eliminated it entirely. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also reported significant damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, though it has not confirmed the exact status of the enriched uranium stockpiles.The Cipher Brief+14The Daily Beast+14The Economic Times+14Business InsiderThe Cipher Brief
Ongoing Monitoring
Israeli intelligence agencies continue to monitor the situation closely. The focus is now on preventing Iran from accessing the remaining enriched uranium and resuming its nuclear activities. The Israeli official emphasized that while the strikes have disrupted Iran’s nuclear program, the threat has not been entirely neutralized. Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and to ensure that Iran cannot quickly recover its nuclear capabilities.
