NYT: US Strikes Fail to Halt Iran Nuclear Program; Uranium for 9 Bombs Remains
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US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025 and 2026 damaged key sites but did not halt Tehran’s nuclear program, The New York Times reported. Iran has restricted UN inspectors’ access to sensitive facilities and may still possess approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, enough for nine to ten nuclear weapons after further processing, according to the report. The strikes severely damaged sites at Natanz and Fordow, yet Iran has continued construction of an underground centrifuge production complex near Natanz, even as international monitoring remains blocked.
Strike Damage at Natanz and Fordow
The US strikes in 2025 and 2026 hit three key sites, including Natanz and Fordow, causing severe damage but failing to destroy the infrastructure. The New York Times, citing assessments, reported that the facilities were damaged yet remain partially operational. Iran has since barred inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing the most sensitive areas, complicating damage verification.
Uranium Stockpile and Weapon Potential
The IAEA believes Iran could have retained around 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, likely stored near Isfahan. After further enrichment, that quantity would suffice for nine to ten nuclear weapons, according to the report. With monitoring suspended, the exact fate of the highly enriched uranium remains unknown, raising concerns among non‑proliferation experts.
Underground Construction Resumes
Despite the strikes, Iran has continued building an underground centrifuge manufacturing complex at Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz. Physicist and Iran expert James Acton told the Times that without international oversight, Tehran could assemble a nuclear device in under a year. The new facility would enable rapid reconstitution of centrifuge production capacity.
What's Next
The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to discuss Iran’s restricted access at its next meeting, but without renewed inspections, the agency’s insight into the program’s status will remain severely limited. Experts caution that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in less than 12 months if it proceeds unimpeded, leaving a narrow window for diplomatic intervention before a potential fait accompli.
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NYT: US Strikes Fail to Halt Iran Nuclear Program; Uranium for 9 Bombs Remains
