By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1502 EAT on Friday 11 July 2025

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the June strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, though some U.S. intelligence assessments remain more cautious. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Israel believes Iran could potentially retrieve enriched uranium buried beneath one of the three nuclear facilities targeted by recent U.S. airstrikes, according to a senior Israeli official. Speaking to American reporters, the official highlighted the Isfahan facility as a possible site, though accessing the material would be extremely difficult and could provoke renewed Israeli military action.

Israel Says Iran May Recover Buried Enriched Uranium at Isfahan, but Nuclear Program Set Back Two Years

In a private briefing for reporters in Washington, a senior Israeli official—speaking on condition of anonymity—said intelligence assessments suggest that a significant portion of Iran’s enriched uranium remains buried at the Isfahan facility, one of three sites targeted by U.S. strikes during Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22. The facility was reportedly hit by submarine-launched cruise missiles.

While acknowledging the possibility that Iran could attempt to retrieve the uranium, the official downplayed the threat, noting that such efforts would likely be detected quickly. The official also stated that Israel believes Iran’s nuclear program has been set back by two years as a result of the strikes.

Former President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly asserted that the operation completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“As President Trump has said many times, Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. “The entire world is safer thanks to his decisive leadership.”

Iran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons, stating that its uranium enrichment activities are intended for peaceful energy purposes.

Thank you — here’s an updated and professionally edited article-style summary, integrating all the new information with clear structure and journalistic tone:

A senior Israeli official has said Iran could potentially retrieve enriched uranium buried beneath the Isfahan nuclear facility, one of three sites struck during the U.S.-led Operation Midnight Hammer on 22 June.

The official, speaking anonymously at a briefing in Washington, noted that while recovery would be technically difficult, any such attempt would likely be detected quickly. He added that Israel assesses Iran’s nuclear program has been set back by two years as a result of the strikes.

The Israeli assessment stands in contrast to more cautious evaluations from U.S. intelligence agencies. A leaked preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) concluded that while the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan sites were heavily damaged, they were not completely destroyed.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, however, told U.S. lawmakers that the destruction of Iran’s only facility for producing metallic uranium had effectively eliminated its ability to build a nuclear weapon.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi offered a more nuanced view, telling CBS News that while the sites were “destroyed to an important degree,” parts of the infrastructure are still standing:

In an interview earlier this week with U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson, Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the facilities were “severely damaged” and said Iran currently has no access to assess them fully.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly claimed that the strikes completely obliterated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“As President Trump has said many times, Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told U.S. media. “The entire world is safer thanks to his decisive leadership.”

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and denies seeking nuclear weapons.

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