Iran Continues Uranium Enrichment Post-USA Bombings
Once more, Iran has voiced its intent to escalate its enrichment of uranium almost to weaponry-grade, a noticeable few days after sustaining bombing assaults from the U.S.A. This statement follows in the wake of Israeli claims that some of Iran’s nuclear material managed to withstand the US bombardments during the Conflict of 12 Days in the previous month.
The Tehran government validated that their nuclear sites underwent significant destruction due to the U.S. military endeavor named Operation Midnight Hammer. This mission employed American B-2 Spirit bombers, which dropped a plethora of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster explosives.
Despite claiming the inflicted damage was severe, Iran maintained that such hostile actions would not dissuade them from pursuing uranium enrichment, a process they insist is aimed exclusively at generating energy for peaceful, civilian use.
The contentious uranium under current scrutiny has been enriched to 60 per cent, a figure that far surpasses the standard for civilian application but falls just shy of reaching the weapons-grade threshold. This inventory, upon being further processed to attain 90 per cent enrichment, theoretically possesses the potential to yield in excess of nine nuclear weapons.
In the backdrop of these events, a high-ranking representative of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, assured the Mehr News Agency of Iran’s steadfastness in upholding its uranium enrichment activities. He emphasized, ‘Enrichment will persist in accordance with national necessities, bombardments notwithstanding. This proficiency cannot be obliterated—it can only strengthen.’
Ongoing negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program have involved other international powers as well. In a united front, the trio of UK, France, and Germany have resolved to enforce stringent UN sanctions against Iran by the conclusion of August. This decision is hinged upon the absence of any substantial advancement towards a nuclear arrangement.
Ali Velayati, who serves as an advisor to the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, quoted by the state news agency IRNA, declared that discussions involving an end to enrichment as a prerequisite would be ‘nonstarters.’ Boroujerdi reiterated this sentiment, stating unequivocally, ‘Our stance towards the West’s insistence on ceasing enrichment remains unyielding.’
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s foremost nuclear inspectorate, issued caution that Iran might restart uranium enrichment in a matter of a few months. Uncertainties persist regarding Iran’s potential relocation of 408.6 kgs of uranium from its more precarious sites preceding the U.S. strikes. This move is suspected to be an attempt of clandestinely preserving nuclear resources at alternate locations within the country.
Regarding the remaining uranium stockpile, an unnamed official from Israel did not indicate any significant concern. Further classification on attempts to reclaim this stored material, the official said, would undoubtedly be detected by Israeli intelligence.
IAEA’s head, Rafael Grossi, conceded that there remains potential for the existence of enriched uranium reserves, confessing the uncertainty surrounding the location of such stockpiles. ‘The task ahead necessitates the corroboration of what and where it is, and what transpired,’ Grossi elaborated.
The 12-Day Conflict earned its name due to its commencement on June 13. The initial provocation was Operation Rising Lion, led by Israel. This detailed bombing campaign specifically targeted Iranian military nuclear facilities.
As a rebuttal to Israel’s aggression, Iran responded with successive waves of ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel. Notwithstanding their diligent efforts, they experienced failure in striking any centers of strategic importance.