Despite massive American and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and President Donald Trump’s declaration that Tehran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated,” Iran is believed to still possess enough highly enriched uranium to potentially produce as many as 10 nuclear weapons, according to a report by The New York Times.

More than five months after the war began, experts and officials cited by the Times say the military campaign significantly damaged and delayed Iran’s nuclear program but failed to eliminate its underlying capabilities.

The greatest uncertainty surrounds Iran’s existing stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% — material that can be relatively quickly enriched further to weapons-grade levels.

Iran has continued to prevent inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency from accessing its most sensitive nuclear facilities, leaving the precise location and condition of the enriched uranium unknown. U.N. nuclear inspectors nevertheless believe Tehran retained a stockpile sufficient to potentially produce material for as many as 10 nuclear weapons.

Much of the focus is now on three critical nuclear sites: Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.

At Isfahan, where Iran stored much of its 60%-enriched uranium, facilities remain severely damaged from strikes carried out in June 2025. However, the uranium stockpile itself is believed to remain at the site.

U.S. intelligence agencies have determined that Iran may still be able to access the material through a narrow entry point that is currently under surveillance, according to the report. American intelligence continues to closely monitor the area.

“The capability still largely exists,” Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert and author of the Iran Nuclear Monitor project at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told The New York Times.

At Natanz, above-ground portions of the nuclear complex were struck in 2025, while entrances to underground facilities were hit this past March. Construction has also continued near the so-called Pickaxe Mountain site, which is intended for centrifuge production.

Fordow, once regarded as Iran’s most heavily fortified and difficult-to-destroy enrichment facility, was severely damaged when it was struck with 12 massive bombs in June 2025. Four entrances to the underground facility reportedly remain buried beneath rubble.

Analysts cited in the report said more recent strikes have focused primarily on Iranian air-defense systems and a research center rather than completely eliminating the remaining nuclear infrastructure.

Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, said that neither the “maximum pressure” campaign nor military action has destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

James Acton, a physicist and nuclear expert, estimated that if Tehran is not deterred from pursuing a weapon, it could potentially produce a nuclear bomb in less than a year — and possibly considerably sooner.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has acknowledged that the strikes “set back the program significantly,” but cautioned that major unresolved issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program would remain even after military operations end.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)