"Setting the Record Straight" White House: Iran did not evade enriched uranium before US strike
Iran experienced an unsuccessful attempt to acquire uranium prior to the American military assault
In the wake of the US military's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, a fiery debate has erupted: Could the US eradicate all of Iran's nuclear aspirations, or merely cripple its nuclear program? Trump's spokesperson aims to squelch the latter impression.
The White House has refuted rumors that Iran may have shifted its enriched uranium before the US raids on its nuclear facilities. "Let me make this clear – the United States had no hint that enriched uranium was relocated prior to the attacks," declared Karoline Leavitt, Trump's spokesperson, to Fox News. Reports suggesting otherwise are " bogus."
Heated Conflicts "American takeout" Trump slams CNN report: "Disgraceful network"What currently stands "deep beneath piles of rubble" is a result of the attacks being successful on Saturday night," she added. B-2 stealth bombers from the USA attacked two Iranian nuclear facilities with bunker-busting GBU-57 bombs over the weekend, while a submarine struck a third facility with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Trump characterized the attacks as an "extraordinary military victory."
The media reported on Tuesday, citing preliminary US intelligence reports, that the attacks had pushed back Iran's nuclear program by several months and that Iranian centrifuges and enriched uranium stocks had not been completely annihilated. The entrances to some facilities were blocked, but underground buildings remained intact.
International Inquiry
Regardless, Trump reaffirmed his stance on Wednesday at the NATO summit in The Hague, stating that Iran's nuclear facilities had been "completely" wiped out. On his Truth Social platform, he also announced that his defense minister, Pete Hegseth, would convene a press conference today at 2 p.m. CEST to "vindicate the honor of our mighty American pilots."
Politics "Collapsing sands" Lawyer: "It's a living system"Preemptive strikes against Iran – is the international legal order crumbling? Trump's intelligence chiefs also contested rumors about the state of Iran's nuclear facilities. CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed that new information from a "historically dependable" source indicated that "several key Iranian nuclear facilities have been destroyed and will need to be reconstructed over the years."
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, also shed light on lingering questions. The IAEA has not been able to inspect uranium stocks since the hostilities commenced, Grossi said on French television. "I don't want to create the impression that it has been misplaced or hidden," he added, referring to Iran's enriched uranium.
Temporary Truce
According to the IAEA's estimation, Iran holds around 408 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%. Its inspectors last examined these stocks on June 10 – three days before the Israeli attacks began. Additional enrichment to 90% would provide enough material for at least nine nuclear bombs.
Politics "A thunderous rumble" Ex-bomber pilot explains the challenges of the Iran missionIsrael launched a "preemptive" large-scale attack on Iran on June 13, citing Iran's sophisticated nuclear and missile programs. Iran countered with massive waves of attacks on Israel.
The US entered the conflict between Israel and Iran on Sunday night, bombing Iran's Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities. Iran then assailed the US airbase Al-Udeid in Qatar on Monday. After 12 days of conflict, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect on Tuesday.
Source: ntv.de, jog/AFP
- USA
- Iranian nuclear program
- Iran
- Donald Trump
- Military operations
- Amidst questions about Iran's enriched uranium stashed away, the White House has rebutted claims that Iran evaded the material before the US attack on its nuclear facilities, authority figures stating the US had no signs of such relocation prior to the assault.
- Against the backdrop of a vibrant debate surrounding the US military's impact on Iran's nuclear aspirations, reports of a possible international inquiry have emerged, instigated by Donald Trump's assertions about the alleged "complete" decimation of Iranian nuclear facilities.
