Uncertainty lingers over state of Iran’s uranium stockpile: US officials, Trump have contradictory claims

On being asked to confirm the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Vance said that the operation has “substantially delayed” Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

“I feel very confident that we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon… That was the goal of this attack,” he said.

Asked whether Iran’s nuclear sites were completely destroyed, Vance replied, “severely damaged versus obliterated — I’m not exactly sure what the difference is. What we know is we set their nuclear programme back substantially.”

Trump, on Sunday (June 22), reiterated his claim of delivering a destructive blow to Tehran, stating that Iran’s key nuclear sites suffered “monumental damage”, citing the satellite images.

He further affirmed that “obliteration” was the “accurate term” for the devastation caused by US airstrikes.

“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!” he wrote in a post.

Satellite images reveal significant damage to Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment plant, a facility built deep within a mountain for protection. The images show several holes, where multiple 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators appear to have pierced the rock.

The Israeli military’s initial analysis indicates that the site sustained severe damage but had not been destroyed completely.

The Israeli officials with knowledge of the intelligence suggested that there was evidence of Iran relocating uranium and equipment from its site, anticipating a US strike following repeated warnings by Trump.

Iranians, according to The New York Times, removed 400 kilograms, approximately 880 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity. This is below the 90 per cent threshold typically used in nuclear weapons.

The 60 per cent enriched fuel was reportedly stored deep within a nuclear complex near Isfahan.

Iran says ‘no signs of contamination’ at nuclear sites

Amid the mystery surrounding the fuel’s fate, Iran downplayed the US attacks, saying that there were no signs of contamination at its key nuclear sites — Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz.

Iranian state media also quoted the country’s National Nuclear Safety System Centre, which said that its radiation detectors recorded no radioactive release after the strikes.

“There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites,” the statement said.

It further stated that the residents living in the vicinity of the nuclear sites hit by the US were not in danger.

The US, on Saturday (June 21), carried out ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ against Iran, targeting its three key nuclear sites, Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

Trump said that the attack’s objective was the “destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. ”

(With inputs from NYT)