Recent strikes by the United States and Israel have significantly damaged Iran's nuclear and ballistic infrastructure, setting back its atomic program by months or possibly years, according to diplomatic and security experts. While some Israeli officials have claimed the program was wiped out, European sources caution that Iran's capabilities have only been substantially reduced, not eliminated. The loss of facilities, scientists, and research centers has weakened Tehran's ability to quickly resume progress.

Despite the damage, Iran still retains a large stockpile of highly enriched uranium, including material enriched to 60 percent and 20 percent purity. Before the June 2025 strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated that Iran possessed about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, close to weapons-grade level. Since the attacks, inspectors have not been granted access to key sites, leaving the status of much of this material uncertain.

Experts believe that at least half of the 60 percent enriched uranium remains stored in underground tunnels at Isfahan, while the rest may be buried beneath damaged facilities such as Fordow. Analysts stress that although Iran may currently lack the operational capacity to enrich additional uranium at scale, it still holds the most difficult component needed to build a nuclear weapon: the enriched material itself. The future of this stockpile, including proposals for its removal to another country, is expected to be central to any renewed negotiations.