Iran may reinstate uranium enrichment activities.
In a troubling turn of events, the head honcho of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has estimated that Iran could revive multiple uranium enrichment centrifuge cascades in a mere matter of months. He made this alarming prediction in a chat with U.S. broadcaster CBS News. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi had earlier admitted that Israeli and U.S. strikes had dealt a major blow to Iranian nuclear sites. Yet, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed these attacks had set back Iran's nuclear program by several years.
However, Grossi was quick to issue a word of caution. He asserted, "You can't claim everything has vanished and nothing remains." During the interview, Grossi revealed, "In a matter of months, I would say, bring several cascades of centrifuges that produce enriched uranium, or less than that, back online." The IAEA's primary concern is locating near-weapons grade uranium in Iran. Grossi admitted, "We don't know where this material could be."
The IAEA report paints a grim picture. Iran owns a substantial quantity—over 400 kilograms—of uranium enriched to a near-weapons-grade level of 60 percent. If this material were further refined to 90 percent, it could theoretically fuel several nuclear bombs[1]. The powers-that-be in Tehran maintain they have no intention of creating nuclear weapons, but the international community is growing increasingly anxious as Iran seems to be getting dangerously close to the capacity to produce nuclear weapons.
Following the Israeli and U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities, Iran's parliament decided to halt cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of these facilities is guaranteed. In a situation report, Grossi emphasized the importance of continued inspections, stressing that this is mandated by a contract between his organization and Iran[2].
Iran's nuclear program is a significant source of concern due to the extensive fleet and advanced models of centrifuges it operates[3]. As of May 2025, Iran was running 36 cascades of IR-1 centrifuges, alongside 46 cascades of more sophisticated models (IR-2m, IR-4, and IR-6)[1]. These advanced centrifuges enable Iran to swiftly enrich uranium, escalating the risk that it could rapidly manufacture nuclear weapon fuel.
Limited IAEA access and monitoring capabilities exacerbate this concern. Since February 2021, Iran has prevented the IAEA from accessing data from centrifuge production plants and forced the removal of monitoring equipment from uranium enrichment and production sites[1]. While some cameras were reinstalled in 2023, the IAEA still lacks access to these recordings[1]. Iran has also refused cooperation regarding uranium particle investigations at undeclared sites, leading the IAEA to lose crucial insight into Iran’s nuclear program[1].
In conclusion:- Iran could restart its uranium enrichment centrifuges within months, posing a significant nuclear threat.- Iran’s advanced centrifuge capabilities and large stockpile of enriched uranium pose a substantial risk of creating nuclear weapons[1][2].- Limitations on IAEA monitoring and access severely compromise verification efforts, increasing international concern over Iran’s intentions[1][3].
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern over Iran's advanced centrifuge capabilities and large stockpile of enriched uranium, which could potentially be used to create nuclear weapons.
- The limitations on IAEA monitoring and access to Iran's nuclear facilities, such as centrifuge production plants and enrichment sites, have significantly affected verification efforts, increasing international concern about Iran's intentions.
- TheIranian parliament's decision to halt cooperation with the IAEA following attacks on nuclear facilities has further complicated the process of ensuring the peace and stability of the international community, particularly with regard to medical-conditions, war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and science.
