International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has stated that recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites inflicted severe but not total damage, warning that Tehran could restart uranium enrichment within months, CNN reported.
Grossi’s remarks directly contradict claims by former US President Donald Trump, who asserted the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by “decades” and had “completely and totally obliterated” its nuclear capabilities.
Grossi emphasized that Iran retains the industrial and technological capacity to revive its nuclear program quickly if it chooses to do so.
“They can have, in a matter of months—or even less—a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium,” Grossi said, cautioning against underestimating Iran’s capabilities.
His comments align with preliminary assessments from the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which indicated that the three key Iranian nuclear sites struck by the US were not completely destroyed, likely setting Iran’s program back by only a few months.
The strikes came amid a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, triggered by Israel’s preemptive assault to hinder Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons development. Iran has repeatedly claimed its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
While classified US briefings to lawmakers acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear materials were not entirely eliminated, officials argued that total destruction was never the military’s objective.
Further casting doubt on the effectiveness of the strikes, The Washington Post reported that intercepted communications from Iranian officials indicated the damage was less severe than expected.
Grossi also confirmed that the IAEA has refrained from publicly concluding whether Iran had or was nearing nuclear weapons capability before the strikes.
“This hourglass approach in weapons of mass destruction is not a good idea,” he added, highlighting the global risk of misjudging nuclear threats and overstating military success.
As international scrutiny continues, Grossi’s warning suggests that the nuclear threat from Iran remains unresolved, and that diplomatic vigilance and transparent verification remain essential.