VIENNA, AUSTRIA - JUNE 23: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arrives for an IAEA Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters on June 23, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is convening a meeting at the agency's headquarters to discuss the situation in Iran, following strikes by the United States on June 22, which targeted nuclear facilities in Iran. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has issued a stark warning that Iran could resume enriching uranium within months. This follows recent U.S. military strikes on three Iranian facilities earlier in June. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), shared these insights during an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation aired on Sunday.
Grossi indicated that despite the damage inflicted by the U.S. attacks, Iran retains the capability to restart its nuclear program swiftly.
“They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that,”
he stated. The remarks come amid heightened tensions and underscore the complex dynamics of nuclear diplomacy in the region.
Impact of U.S. Military Strikes
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military had “totally obliterated” Iran’s primary nuclear facilities. However, a preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested that the damage might be less extensive than initially claimed. The report indicated that Iran’s nuclear capabilities might have only been set back by a few months.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the DIA’s findings as a “preliminary, low-confidence report” and maintained that the operation was a “historically successful attack.” The contrasting assessments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the true impact of the strikes.
Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities and Intentions
Grossi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are far from diminished. He noted that Iran possesses significant industrial capacity and technical expertise in nuclear technology.
“Iran had a very vast ambitious program, and part of it may still be there, and if not, there is also the self-evident truth that the knowledge is there,”
Grossi remarked.
The IAEA has previously reported that Iran held a stockpile of over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Grossi speculated that Iran might have moved some of this stockpile to undisclosed locations prior to the attacks, although President Trump has expressed skepticism about this possibility, citing logistical challenges.
International Response and Future Steps
Grossi stressed the importance of resuming dialogue between the IAEA and Iran to ensure international inspectors can continue their work.
“We have to go back to the table and have a technically sound solution to this,”
he urged, highlighting the need for renewed diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, the international community remains on high alert as the potential for Iran to reinitiate its nuclear program poses significant geopolitical risks. The situation underscores the delicate balance of power in the Middle East and the ongoing challenges of nuclear nonproliferation.
As the world watches closely, the next steps will likely involve a combination of diplomatic negotiations and strategic military assessments. The outcome of these efforts will be crucial in shaping the future of nuclear security in the region.
