Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), forecasted that Iran could resume its production of enriched uranium within months despite damage to its nuclear facilities.
According to AFP on the 28th (local time), Grossi stated in an interview with CBS the previous day that "some of the (Iranian nuclear facilities) are still intact," and added, "In my view, Iran could have several centrifuge stage facilities for producing enriched uranium in a few months, or even in a shorter time."
This statement contradicts the assessment of U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran's nuclear program has fallen decades behind due to attacks on its facilities by the U.S. and Israel. The differing opinions from the IAEA and the U.S. regarding the effectiveness of the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities suggest that controversy will continue.
However, Grossi noted that it remains unclear whether Iran moved some or all of its approximately 400 kg of highly enriched uranium before the attacks, saying, "We have not been able to determine where that material is."
He added, "Some may have been destroyed in this attack, but some may have been moved. Therefore, there should be a reasonable explanation at some point."
This statement also contradicts President Trump's previous claim that Iran's highly enriched uranium has "not gone out of the facilities at all."
Iran is reported to have processed uranium to a purity level of 60% suitable for nuclear fission. Experts assessed that uranium enriched to 60% could be processed to a weapon-grade level of 90% in a short period.
The Iranian Parliament passed a resolution on the 25th to temporarily suspend cooperation with the IAEA.
The resolution stated that no IAEA inspectors will be allowed entry into Iran until the safety of Iran's nuclear facilities and peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed.
Grossi emphasized in relation to Iran's rejection of inspections at the Fordow facility, which is key to Iran's uranium enrichment activities, that "we need to be in a position to determine and verify what is there, where it is, and what has happened."