Iran's Uranium Stockpile Appears Intact After US Strikes, European Governments Informed

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over Israel in a video message. Preliminary intelligence assessments suggest that Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile of 408kg remains mostly intact after US strikes on its main nuclear sites. The stockpile was not concentrated in Fordow, one of the main enrichment sites, during the attack but had been distributed to other locations. This challenges US president Donald Trump's claim that the bombings had destroyed Iran's nuclear program.

European governments are awaiting a full intelligence report on the damage to Fordow, with initial reports indicating extensive damage but not complete destruction. Iranian officials suggest the stockpile was moved before the US bombing. Despite US strikes on Fordow and Natanz, experts warn that if Iran retains its enriched uranium stockpile and advanced centrifuges at hidden sites, it could still produce fissile material for a weapon.

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth criticized media focus on a leaked intelligence assessment that downplayed the impact of the bombings on Iran's nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency director general stated that Iran's nuclear program had suffered significant damage but was not completely destroyed. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The US has not provided clear intelligence to EU allies on Iran's remaining nuclear capabilities post-strikes and is withholding guidance on future relations with Tehran. EU policy towards Iran is pending a new diplomatic initiative from Washington. Ayatollah Khamenei claimed victory over Israel and stated that Iran had 'delivered a hand slap to America's face' in a video broadcast on Iranian state television.

According to the source: The Irish Times.