Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months despite U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has said.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told CBS News that Iran retains the capacity to enrich uranium quickly, casting doubt on the effectiveness of recent U.S. attacks on its nuclear programme.
"The capacities they have are there. 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," Grossi said in an interview with "Face the Nation" due to air on Sunday.
U.S. officials claim their strikes destroyed key nuclear sites in Iran, including facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, after Israel launched attacks earlier this month aiming to eliminate Tehran's nuclear capabilities. The strikes sparked a 12-day air conflict, which the U.S. eventually joined.
President Donald Trump warned on Friday that he would consider bombing Iran again if it resumes uranium enrichment to threatening levels.
Grossi cautioned that while the attacks had significantly set back Iran’s nuclear operations, they had not erased its knowledge or capability.
"Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there," he said. "Iran is a very sophisticated country in terms of nuclear technology. You cannot disinvent this. You cannot undo the knowledge that you have or the capacities that you have."
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Western powers have long argued that Iran’s technical advances provide it with irreversible knowledge gains, meaning the loss of facilities or personnel can slow but not eliminate its nuclear potential.
Grossi also addressed reports suggesting Iran moved its stock of highly enriched uranium before the U.S. strikes.
"It was not clear where that material was. Some could have been destroyed as part of the attack, but some could have been moved," he said.
The IAEA continues to monitor Iran's nuclear activities amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over whether Tehran will seek to rebuild its enrichment facilities swiftly or wait for diplomatic opportunities.
Saudi Arabia’s defence minister held rare talks with Iran’s military chief amid concerns over the fragility of the Israel-Iran ceasefire.
Large crowds dressed in black flooded the streets of Tehran on Saturday, mourning Iran’s top military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during this month’s brutal aerial war with Israel.
Iran has barred the UN nuclear watchdog’s chief from entering the country and suspended camera installations at its nuclear facilities, escalating tensions over transparency following recent military clashes.
Iranian military leaders have issued harsh warnings against the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s threats, vowing a more forceful retaliation if Iran’s interests are attacked again.
Russian courts have imposed detention measures on six Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in connection with a case dating back to the early 2000s, amid reports of injuries and allegations of coerced confessions.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
Ukraine and several Baltic and Nordic states are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing security threats from Russia.
Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months despite U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has said.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
Ukraine and several Baltic and Nordic states are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing security threats from Russia.
President Donald Trump says a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could potentially be reached within the next week, as U.S. mediation efforts intensify.
The U.S. Senate advanced President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill on Saturday despite Democratic criticism that it benefits the wealthy over social programmes.
Russian courts have imposed detention measures on six Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in connection with a case dating back to the early 2000s, amid reports of injuries and allegations of coerced confessions.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
Ukraine and several Baltic and Nordic states are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing security threats from Russia.
Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months despite U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has said.
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