The Strikes Slowed, But Did Not Stop: U.S. Report Warns of Revival of Iran's Nuclear Program

According to the New York Times, citing officials and experts, the war may have slowed Iran's nuclear program, but it has not stopped it.

Technical assessments converge on the fact that U.S. military strikes targeting Iran have not significantly impacted its nuclear program, and the risk of producing a nuclear bomb remains real.

UN inspectors estimate that Iran still possesses a stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, sufficient to make 9 to 10 nuclear bombs quickly.

As the report notes, Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, wrote in an analysis: "The maximum pressure policy and military actions taken by the Donald Trump administration could not eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities, and will not be able to do so in the future."

Ellie Geranmayeh, author of the "Iran Nuclear Monitor" report at the European Council on Foreign Relations, also stated: "These capabilities remain largely intact." She further warned that in the absence of international oversight, Iran could enrich its current uranium stockpile to the level needed for a nuclear weapon swiftly.

James Acton, researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said a significant portion of Iran's nuclear infrastructure remains intact, and if no obstacles are imposed, Tehran could achieve the ability to produce a nuclear bomb in less than a year—possibly much sooner.