Israel’s latest airstrikes on Iran, including hits on suspected nuclear facilities, have reignited global concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. As tensions escalate, how close is Iran to developing a nuclear weapon?
As tensions with Israel escalate, how close is Iran to developing a nuclear weapon? (Photo creative: News18)

Iran has stated that it has no intention of building a nuclear weapon and insists its nuclear programme is focused solely on power generation and other peaceful purposes. (Photo creative: News18)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that, as of May 2025, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%. (Photo creative: News18)

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 per cent — significantly higher than the 3.67 percent limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with major world powers. (Photo creative: News18)

Located about 250 km south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s main uranium enrichment site and a primary target of Israeli sabotage efforts. (Photo creative: News18)

Under the Kavir Plan, the development of boosted nuclear warheads for missiles with ranges over 3,000 kilometres is reportedly being concealed. (Photo creative: News18)

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top Iranian nuclear scientist and a brigadier general in the elite IRGC, was assassinated on the outskirts of Tehran on November 2020. (Photo creative: News18)

The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran is responsible for implementing nuclear regulations, operating nuclear energy facilities, and overseeing the development of nuclear technology within the country. (Photo creative: News18)

The top three nuclear powers are Russia, the US, and China. Russia is estimated to have around 5,580 nuclear warheads, the US about 5,200, and China over 500. (Photo creative: News18)