Last Updated:
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation head, Mohammad Eslami, stated that despite recent damage, the nuclear programme will continue uninterrupted, with recovery plans already in place.
Iran (AFP)
Iran seems adamant on its nuclear programme despite a series of Israeli and US strikes targeting Tehran’s main nuclear facilities last week. The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said the country has taken measures to ensure its nuclear programme continues without interruption following the recent damage.
Mohammad Eslami said assessments are underway at affected sites, but plans for recovery had been made in advance, and operations would proceed without disruption to production or services.
“The plan is to prevent interruptions in the process of production and services,” Eslami said.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi stated that Iran’s resumption of cooperation with the IAEA is crucial to achieving a successful agreement. He added that he has proposed a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Israel-Iran War News Live
Iran’s Nuclear Sites Targeted
Iran’s uranium enrichment has for decades caused tension, with Western powers voicing fears the drive is aimed at making an atomic bomb, a claim denied by Tehran.
The United States struck three nuclear sites, including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan, in Iran overnight on Sunday with massive bunker-busting bombs.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran had enriched uranium to 60 per cent in 2021, a short step from the 90 per cent required for use in a weapon.
B Bunker Busters, B-2 Stealth Plane: All About US Strikes On Three Iranian Nuclear Sites
Iran-Israel Tensions
Iran and Israel have exchanged wave after wave of air strikes since Israel unleashed a major military offensive on June 13. Tel Aviv targeted nuclear sites in Iran and top officials.
After two weeks of the tensions, US President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a staggered ceasefire beginning Tuesday that would bring about an ‘official end’ to the conflict.
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote Monday evening on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s announcement came just hours after Iran launched strikes against an American military base in Qatar, which he described as “weak” retaliation for US strikes over the weekend against Iranian nuclear sites.
Israel Agrees To Ceasefire
Israel said Tuesday it had agreed to US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire with Iran, on the 12th day of war between the foes.
The Israeli government said it had achieved all its objectives in the war with Iran, and that it had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire after removing the “dual existential threat” of Tehran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missiles. Israel nonetheless warned it would “respond forcefully” to any Iranian violation of the truce.
Iran Strikes US Air Base In Qatar
Hours before the ceasefire announcement, Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.
Qatar, which lies 190 kilometres (120 miles) south of Iran and is home to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, said its “air defences successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base”.
Trump was also quick to dismiss the attack as “very weak”. He said Iran gave “early notice” of the strike, thanking the Islamic Republic for the move that “made it possible for no lives to be lost, nobody to be injured”.
Vance Says Iran is Now Incapable of Building a Nuclear Weapon
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran was no longer able to build a nuclear weapon after US strikes destroyed its infrastructure. “Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon,” Vance said in an interview on Fox News.
“Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it,” Vance said.
After the US strikes on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities were “totally obliterated.”
(with inputs from agencies)
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
- First Published:
