Iran's enriched uranium stockpile at Fordo was relocated ahead of US airstrikes: reports
Tehran, June 27 (UNI) Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was reportedly relocated from its key Fordo facility ahead of the June 22 US airstrikes, according to preliminary intelligence assessments shared by European officials, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The move, if confirmed, would suggest that Iran retained much of its 408kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity — close to weapons-grade — despite US President Donald Trump's assertion that the strikes had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program, as per Iran International.
EU officials cited by the FT said Iran's stockpile was likely distributed across multiple sites and not concentrated at Fordo at the time of the attack. One early intelligence report indicated 'extensive damages, but not full structural destruction' at the underground Fordo facility near Qom.
The US has not provided definitive intelligence to European allies on the current status of Iran's nuclear capabilities, and Washington's future diplomatic direction remains unclear, EU officials told the FT.
Talks between European ministers and Iranian officials had taken place just before the strikes, but follow-up diplomacy is stalled.
'We're in a volatile place where the E3 is waiting on the US, who appear to themselves be waiting on the Israelis.'
Israeli intelligence officials had earlier said that Iran's stockpile of highly-enriched uranium was trapped below ground by attacks during its 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States, and while possibly still intact, it would also not be possible to move it, as Tel Aviv and Washington will pick up any attempts to recover it.
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