IAEA Chief Raises Alarm: Iran May Still Hold Enriched Uranium Despite Fordow Shutdown
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has confirmed that the centrifuges at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility are no longer operational following recent airstrikes. However, he issued a stark warning that enriched uranium may still be in Iran’s possession and could have been relocated ahead of the attacks. Without direct access, the IAEA cannot verify what nuclear material remains or where it may have been moved.
Grossi emphasized that the IAEA has observed “very significant damage” to the Fordow site, which lies deep beneath the earth. Yet he cautioned that the destruction of centrifuge infrastructure alone does not ensure that Iran has ceased its uranium enrichment activities. “Iran can’t enrich uranium at Fordow plant, but…” he said, highlighting the ambiguity that remains due to Iran’s restrictions on international inspections.
Fordow IAEA
The Fordow site, heavily fortified and built into a mountain, was one of Iran’s key enrichment facilities capable of producing uranium enriched up to 60%. The airstrikes may have rendered it inoperable, but Grossi’s concern lies in the possibility that enriched material and centrifuge components were transferred before the attack. This possibility keeps the nuclear threat alive despite the visible damage.
Nuclear Risk
Grossi reiterated the need for immediate and unrestricted access to Fordow and other sensitive Iranian nuclear sites. He noted that any delay in verification only fuels speculation and weakens the global non-proliferation framework. The lack of transparency makes it impossible to conclusively determine whether Iran has preserved its nuclear breakout potential elsewhere.
Urgent Verification
Calling for renewed diplomatic engagement, Grossi stressed that the international community must not equate site destruction with full nuclear de-escalation. Until IAEA inspectors are allowed back in with full access, the world will continue to operate in a state of uncertainty regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
