Iran's Highly Enriched Uranium Likely Still at Isfahan

Almost half of Iran’s uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons-grade, is likely still stored in an underground tunnel complex at Isfahan. This was confirmed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on Monday.

The tunnel complex appears to be the only target not badly damaged during attacks last June by Israel and the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The IAEA estimates that before these attacks, Iran had 440.9kg of 60% uranium, which if further enriched could provide material for approximately 10 nuclear weapons.

Grossi reported that Isfahan held more than 200kg of this highly enriched uranium during the last inspection and believes it is still there due to a lack of evidence indicating its transfer. Iran has not informed the IAEA about the status or location of its highly enriched uranium since June, nor allowed inspectors back into bombed facilities.

Iran’s nuclear program remains a point of contention for Israel and the US, who argue it is nearing the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Despite this, the IAEA has not found credible evidence of a coordinated Iranian nuclear weapons program. All three known uranium-enrichment plants in Iran were either destroyed or severely damaged during June attacks.

Grossi also noted that some highly enriched uranium may still be present at Natanz. The US and Israel have discussed potential operations to recover this material, which would require significant ground forces beyond small special operations teams according to sources familiar with military planning.