War Cannot Erase Iran's Nuclear Knowledge, Watchdog Chief Says

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said that while the ongoing conflict has significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program, military action alone cannot eliminate the country’s nuclear ambitions or long term capabilities. He noted that although several facilities have been damaged, Iran still retains key assets, including a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which is close to weapons grade levels.

He warned that once the fighting ends, major challenges will remain. Inspectors have not yet been able to determine the full extent of the damage, and some facilities or equipment may have survived. Even if infrastructure has been destroyed, Iran could rebuild it, as the scientific knowledge and technical expertise cannot be erased.

The possibility of foreign forces attempting to seize the enriched uranium has been raised, but the agency chief described such an operation as highly complex and risky due to the hazardous nature of the material and the likelihood of decoys. Meanwhile, a former United States national security adviser argued that any military operation would be incomplete without securing the nuclear material, warning it could otherwise fall into the hands of hostile groups or states.