Iranian Nuclear Threat Lingers Despite Israeli-US Strikes, Report Says

Israeli and US strikes in June 2025 and early 2026 significantly damaged Iran's nuclear program, but it could still pose a future threat, according to a Jerusalem Post investigation. Sources told the newspaper that Iran is not currently operating centrifuges for uranium enrichment, its stockpiles of 20% and 60% enriched uranium are not easily accessible, and most nuclear facilities are unusable, delaying the program by several years. However, the potential threat is considered more serious than initially assessed after the 2025-2026 military operations, though no immediate danger is identified. While most of Iran's approximately 20,000 centrifuges were destroyed or damaged, a significant number, including advanced IR-6 models, may have survived in deeply buried facilities. These could potentially be used to clandestinely enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon. Iran might also attempt to discreetly extract enriched uranium stocks by digging tunnels from remote areas to evade Western surveillance, a process that could take months or years. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has received no information from Iran regarding its nuclear materials and facilities and has been unable to conduct on-site verifications since June 2025, hindering its oversight responsibilities. The strikes also targeted facilities for converting enriched uranium into metal and manufacturing warhead components. Preventing Iran from rebuilding this military aspect is a key mission for Israeli intelligence, with Tehran reportedly making no significant progress in this area so far. The Iranian nuclear program remains severely damaged, and the threat has been pushed back and reduced, but surviving capabilities could allow Iran to clandestinely restart activities in the longer term.