US intercepts Iranian call on damage to nuclear sites, as photos show likely repairs under way
Washington: An intercepted communication between senior Iranian officials suggests the United States did not inflict as much damage as anticipated when it struck Iran's nuclear sites earlier this month, despite US President Donald Trump claiming the assault 'obliterated' the facilities.
Satellite photographs taken since the strikes show repair and assessment work also appears to be under way at two of the three sites struck on June 22.
The intercepted Iranian communication played down the extent of damage caused by the strikes, The Washington Post reported, citing four people familiar with classified intelligence circulating within the US government. During the conversation overheard by the US, the Iranian officials wondered why the attacks had not been as destructive and extensive as anticipated.
But a source who declined to be named told Reuters that while the communication had been intercepted, there were serious questions about whether the Iranian officials were being truthful in their conversation, and described the intercepts as unreliable indicators.
The report by the Post is the latest to raise questions about the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program.
Loading
A leaked preliminary assessment from the Defence Intelligence Agency cautioned the strikes may have only set back Iran by months, and the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, concurred with that on Sunday, saying Iran may be able to enrich uranium again within 'a matter of months'.
But CIA director John Ratcliffe told sceptical US lawmakers in a classified hearing last week that the strikes had destroyed Iran's lone metal conversion facility, a US official said, meaning it would now take years for Iran to build a nuclear bomb.
Ratcliffe also told politicians that the intelligence community assessed that the vast majority of Iran's amassed enriched uranium probably remained buried under the rubble at Isfahan and Fordow, two of the three facilities the US struck.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
UK, France condemn 'threats' against nuclear watchdog
Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said.
Canberra Times
3 hours ago
- Canberra Times
UK, France condemn 'threats' against nuclear watchdog
"We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
UK, France condemn 'threats' against nuclear watchdog
Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the Agency and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi. On Monday, Iran said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a news conference. The IAEA's board voted earlier in June to declare Iran was in violation of its obligations under the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iranian officials have suggested that vote helped pave the way for Israel's attacks. Baghaei said a parliamentary bill approved by the Guardian Council makes it mandatory for the government to suspend co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said.
