Iran’s Path to Weapon-Grade Uranium Blocked

Recent reports reveal that Iran currently lacks a viable path to produce weapon-grade uranium. This conclusion comes from leading nuclear experts and was detailed in a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The IAEA stated that Iran “has no specific route to produce weapon-grade uranium at centrifugation factories.” While the strikes, termed Operation Midnight Hammer, seemed effective, there remains skepticism about the true status of Tehran’s nuclear program.

The report mentions, “The attacks have inflicted significant damage on Iran’s capability to develop nuclear weapons.” Notably, for the first time in over 15 years, an estimate for a breakout to weapon-grade uranium will not appear in IAEA reports due to insufficient data about the status of centrifuges—whether they have been destroyed or remain operational is unclear.

David Albright of the institute analyzing the IAEA report noted that these assessments show major damage inflicted on Iran’s enriching sites, suggesting it could take years for recovery.

In a statement, White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized that Operation Midnight Hammer had rendered Iran’s nuclear capabilities virtually non-existent, underscoring the global safety promised by this decisive military action.

However, Albright’s team also pointed out that Iran’s recent restrictions on IAEA inspectors have led to a lack of crucial data. The findings could not confirm any movements of enriched uranium beyond several specified sites like Fordow, Isfahan, or Natanz. Yet, there were indications that nearly all of Iran’s 22,000 gas centrifuges are either nonoperational or destroyed due to the strikes.