Iran Could Resume Uranium Enrichment Within Months, May Pursue Nuclear Bomb — IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi

Iran Could Resume Uranium Enrichment Within Months, May Pursue Nuclear Bomb — IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi
[Vienna, June 29, 2025]
The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, has warned that Iran could soon resume uranium enrichment and, if it chooses, rapidly move toward developing a nuclear bomb. He stated that Iran still possesses the technology and capability necessary for building such a weapon.

Grossi said that while recent U.S. airstrikes damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, those sites were not completely destroyed — contrary to what President Donald Trump had claimed.

In an interview with CBS News, Grossi said:

“Within just a few months, Iran could restart its centrifuges and resume uranium enrichment.”
“If they want, they are still technically capable of doing it.”

Earlier, Israel had claimed that Iran was dangerously close to developing a nuclear weapon and carried out strikes on Iranian sites on June 13. The U.S. followed with its own military operations. However, the actual scale of damage remains unclear.

Grossi warned that military operations are not a sustainable solution and long-term stability can only be achieved through diplomacy.

“I need to sit down with Iran and examine the situation, because in the end, after all the military strikes, there has to be a long-term resolution — and that must be diplomatic,” he said.

Meanwhile, conflicting messages have emerged from within Iran.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed the attacks achieved “no significant success,” while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted there was “serious damage.”

The Iranian parliament has already begun steps to suspend cooperation with the UN agency, accusing the IAEA of bias.

Grossi admitted:

“Yes, the U.S. strikes have delayed Iran’s nuclear program somewhat — but only by a few months.”

Analysts warn the situation could escalate quickly. President Trump has declared:

“If there is evidence that Iran has resumed uranium enrichment, further bombing will definitely be considered.”

Although life in Tehran is returning to some normalcy, fear and uncertainty still linger among the public.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran was barred from enriching uranium beyond 3.67% for 15 years. But in 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal and reinstated sanctions. Since then, Iran has increasingly violated the terms. According to the IAEA, Iran has already stockpiled uranium enriched up to 60% purity — enough to potentially build around nine nuclear bombs.