Iranian Foreign Minister Concedes Nuclear Facilities ‘Seriously Damaged’ by Israeli, U.S. Strikes

Latest Developments

• Araghchi Says Nuclear Program Sustained Damage: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conceded on June 26 that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been severely damaged by U.S. and Israeli strikes on the key sites of Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. Araghchi, the first Iranian official to acknowledge the impact of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear weapons program, noted that while the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran was still in the process of “surveilling the damages and losses … our facilities have been seriously damaged.” The foreign minister’s comments were in stark contrast to those of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who claimed in a prerecorded speech on June 26 that the U.S. military had “gained no achievement” with its strikes, instead referring to the mission as “abnormal showmanship.”
• Continued Suggestions of Suspending Cooperation with IAEA: Araghchi also suggested that Iran will suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. On June 26, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council approved a parliamentary bill that was passed earlier in the week essentially banning all cooperation with the IAEA. Araghchi stated that “without a doubt,” Iran is “fully obliged to enforce this law,” adding that in the future, Iran’s “relationship with the agency will take a different shape.” He also blamed IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi for allegedly facilitating “the unlawful Israeli and US bombings of Iranian nuclear sites.”
• Battle Damage Assessment Ongoing: The extent to which Iran’s nuclear program was damaged by respective U.S. and Israeli strikes is still being assessed. The United States remains adamant that the 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) dropped on Fordow and other nuclear sites by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on June 21 set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by years. Grossi told French radio that the centrifuges at Fordow were “no longer operational,” though the location of nearly 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium stockpiled by the Iranian regime has not yet been definitively determined.

FDD Expert Response

“The United States risks missing the opportunity to gather the spoils as victor over Iran: Washington should be demanding, not asking, that Tehran remain in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, allow in IAEA inspectors, turn over any remaining nuclear material, and fully dismantle its uranium enrichment, weaponization, and missile-delivery assets. Any failure to do so should result in threats of further U.S. and Israeli strikes on these assets.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“The Islamic Republic has long employed strategic ambiguity, using contradictory messaging across various regime institutions to sow confusion in the calculations of both Washington and Jerusalem. This dual-track approach serves a dual purpose: reassuring its domestic support base while exploiting divisions and hesitations within the West.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘As Soon as Possible’: UN Nuclear Chief Calls For Renewed Inspections as Iran Suspends Cooperation,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Again Emphasizes Success of Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites,” FDD Flash Brief

“Grossi Played ‘Destructive Role’: Iranian Atomic Energy Chief Attacks IAEA Director General Over Israeli Strikes,” FDD Flash Brief

“IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Nonproliferation Obligations,” FDD Flash Brief