Iran‘s government has announced that it has taken necessary measures to ensure the continuation of its nuclear program following recent US and Israeli strikes on its facilities.
According to Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, “We have taken the necessary measures and are taking stock of the damage caused by the strikes.” He added that plans for restarting the facilities have been prepared in advance, and the strategy is to ensure that production and services are not disrupted.
The US strikes, carried out on Sunday, targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz uranium enrichment facilities. US President Donald Trump described the strikes as a “spectacular military success,” although the extent of the damage is unknown. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasized that Iran still has stocks of enriched uranium and that “the game is not over.”
The strikes have sparked international concern, with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres calling for diplomacy and warning of a “dangerous escalation.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also expressed concerns, with Director General Rafael Grossi warning that the attack “risks collapsing the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.” Grossi has urged Iran to allow IAEA inspectors to assess the damage and radiation levels.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the strikes, stating that they would be a “historic turning point” in denying Iran nuclear capabilities. However, analysts have warned that the strikes could lead to further escalation and that Iran may respond disproportionately to restore deterrence.
Iran’s nuclear program has been a contentious issue, with the country enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. The IAEA has reported that Iran has sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just below weapons-grade.
The US and other Western powers have expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while Iran maintains that its program is for peaceful purposes.
The recent strikes have raised questions about the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the potential for further conflict in the region.
As Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, noted, “you’re looking at a significant escalatory spiral that could get out of hand quickly.” The situation remains volatile, with the international community closely watching Iran’s next moves.