Iran Pledges to Restore Its Nuclear Program in Wake of U.S., Israeli Strikes

Latest Developments

• Push for Nuclear Reconstitution: Iran will seek to restore its nuclear facilities to full strength in the wake of a 12-day Israeli and U.S. bombing campaign, which severely degraded its enrichment capabilities. “The plan is to prevent interruptions in the process of production and services,” said Mohammad Eslami, the director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, adding that Tehran had prepared and anticipated damage to its nuclear sites.
• Battle Damage Assessment Ongoing: Iran is assessing the damage done to its key nuclear facilities by the Israeli and U.S. strikes, especially at the Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow sites. Fordow reportedly sustained heavy damage during the U.S. airstrikes carried out by several B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which dropped a dozen GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on the facility. “Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine at a June 22 Pentagon press briefing.
• IAEA Wants a Meeting: Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on June 24 that he had written to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to request a meeting and encourage further cooperation between Iran and the IAEA following a U.S.- and Qatari-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel. “Resuming cooperation with IAEA is key to a successful agreement,” Grossi stated.

FDD Expert Response

“Iran’s threats to build back its nuclear program underscore the need to restore UN sanctions against Tehran that legally curtail its nuclear-related trade. To prohibit Iran from ‘building back better’ its nuclear threat, Washington should seek a negotiated solution with the regime requiring its full, permanent nuclear dismantlement under IAEA oversight —meaning the regime must turn over all remaining secret assets like enriched uranium, centrifuges, and facilities.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“It’s instructive that the Tehran regime’s priority is to reconstitute its nuclear weapons program. Iran’s senior leadership believes that having a nuclear weapon is tied to its survival and international legitimacy. The United States must therefore continue to vigorously enforce sanctions to deny Tehran the necessary funding and materials. The IAEA should also demand anytime snap inspections in Iran to determine if new facilities are being developed.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDD Action 

FDD Background and Analysis

“U.S. Calls for Peace as Region Braces for Further Escalation,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iranian and Iranian-Backed Attacks Against Americans (1979-Present),” by Tzvi Kahn

“‘Completely and Totally Obliterated’: U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Facilities, Including Underground Fordow Enrichment Site,” FDD Flash Brief

“US strikes Iranian nuclear facilities,” by Bill Roggio