US attacks on nuclear power plants do not destroy Iran

Preliminary evaluations of the European Union intelligence agencies indicate that Iran has preserved most of its highly enriched uranium stock, even after US military attacks on the country’s main nuclear facilities last weekend. The information, released on Thursday (26) by the Financial Times, directly contradicts the statements of US President Donald Trump, who ensured that the bombing “annihilated” the Iranian atomic program.

According to the British newspaper, the 408 kg of 60% enriched uranium – level considered a step before the war level – were not concentrated in the Fordow plant at the time of the attack. The material would have been previously redistributed to several other places by order of the Iranian authorities, which prevented direct damage to the main asset of the country’s nuclear program.

Bombing and conflicting versions

The United States launched antibunker bombs against Fordow and Natanz – the two main enrichment plants in Iran – and cruise missiles against Isfahan, a center of conversion and storage. According to Trump, the whole stock of uranium “was down there”, making it impossible for its withdrawal. “Nothing was removed from the installation. It would be very heavy and dangerous,” the president said on the Truth Social network.

On the other hand, satellite images analyzed by European experts show unusual vehicle movement in the days before the attack, which reinforces the hypothesis of prior removal of the material. Still, the US did not share a complete report with its allies, which increases the distrust of Washington’s official narrative.

Iranian resistance and strategic doubts

Despite admitting that the facilities suffered “great damage,” the Iranian government said the US “failed much,” a statement from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday. The supreme leader of the country pointed out that the essential nuclear stock was preserved, which weakens the thesis that the attack represented an irreversible setback to Iran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) also confirmed that it has not had access to the facilities since the beginning of the war between Israel and Iran on June 13. Director Rafael Grossi reported that he received a previous letter from Iranian Chancellor Abbas Araghchi warning that “special measures” would be taken to protect nuclear material, which may include strategic removal from inventories.

Eu waiting for the US, who expect Israel

Revelation further complicates the direction of diplomacy. European governments – especially from France, Germany and the United Kingdom – await a US signaling about the resumption of nuclear negotiations, interrupted with the beginning of hostilities. Diplomatic sources have told the Financial teams that European policy for Tehran is in pause, while Washington awaits a definition of Israel’s security policy.

“The situation is frozen. The US does not even inform its allies and seem to wait for Tel Aviv’s next steps,” a European authority said. The indefinition has already led to the collapse of previous conversations between European chancelers and Minister Araghchi, days before the US attacks.

Without transparency, AIA can be removed

Earlier this week, the Iranian Parliament voted for the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA, which may result in the exclusion of international inspectors from Iranian territory. Although the government has not yet formalized this decision, the UN agency fears losing access to crucial data on the enrichment of uranium and the integrity of the declared stock.

Grossi reinforced the appeal for inspectors to return to “as soon as possible” to Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, especially to verify the destination of the 408 kg of enriched uranium. He recalled that even with physical damage to the facilities, the remaining physical material can keep Iran’s potential to produce a nuclear pump if it is intact and accessible.

Nuclear crisis remains without solution

The series of contradictions between intelligence assessments, public statements and incomplete reports reveals the fragile and uncertain character of the current nuclear crisis in the Middle East. Trump insists that there is no need for a new deal, despite admitting, in contradictory lines, that negotiations with Iran may occur next week.

Experts warn, however, that without a verifiable pact, Iran will be able to advance silently with its atomic program, especially if it maintains part of its centrifuges and uranium enriched in unidentified places. Tehran’s strategic silence and Trump’s triumphalist rhetoric increase the risks of a new climb – now with less information and fewer international verification channels.

Meanwhile, the European powers observe, without concrete action, a conflict where the bombs exploded, but uncertainties remain buried under the Fordow mountain.