U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that Iran or third parties could have access to the main stockpile of highly enriched uranium located beneath the Isfahan nuclear complex, despite U.S. air strikes that hit the facility last June, according to classified reports cited by the New York Times. The sources say Iran could access the uranium through a very narrow entry point, but it remains unclear how quickly the material, which is stored in gas and separate cylinders, could be moved. U.S. agencies monitor the facility closely and believe they can detect and respond to any attempt to move the uranium, which is considered critical for building a nuclear weapon.
US President Donald Trump was asked by reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday whether he would consider sending ground forces to secure the uranium. He said: “We are destroying it now, but we have not intended to do that. It is something we can do later, we are not doing it now.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision to take military action against Iran was partly related to moving Iran’s nuclear and missile programs deep underground so that they would be vulnerable to any attack.
The United States chose not to recover the uranium last year after a 12-day war that severely damaged nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Any deployment of ground forces, most likely special operations units, is considered too risky. U.S. officials emphasize that the air campaign must continue to weaken Iranian defenses before a final decision is made.
According to officials, Iran has about 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, mostly in Isfahan, which is currently at 60% enrichment and needs to reach 90% for use in nuclear weapons. Before the US attacks, Iran had taken defensive measures, moving and placing large amounts of soil at the entrances to the complex's underground tunnels.
The US strikes used Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Natanz and Fordow, and Tomahawk missiles on Isfahan. After the attacks, satellite images showed the Iranians removing the soil and regaining access to underground tunnels. Analysis of commercial imagery confirmed significant excavation and movement of soil at the tunnel entrances, raising questions about the purpose of its use – whether for storage or to strengthen the entrances against possible strikes. Experts say that activity at the tunnel entrances is increasing and could be preparation for future attacks, similar to Iranian movements before the June 2025 attacks. The situation of uranium and its controls remains a central issue for the US administration and for tensions in the Middle East.
