Iran’s Nuclear Defiance: A Looming Threat After U.S.-Israeli Strikes

June 23, 2025, 0900

Executive Summary: Iran's Nuclear Program Post-Attack

The U.S. and Israeli strikes on key components of Iran's nuclear program on June 22, 2025, represent the culmination of Israel's relentless, decades-long campaign to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions. While the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) claims no radioactive contamination occurred and emphasizes robust safety measures, the attack's impact on Iran's nuclear program remains uncertain.

The fate of enriched uranium at Fordo—whether destroyed or covertly relocated—is unclear, raising concerns about the regime's ability to rebuild. If the Iranian regime survives politically, it is likely to pursue its military nuclear program through undisclosed sites, potentially with assistance from allies like North Korea.

The absence of transparent IAEA oversight and Iran's history of clandestine nuclear activities heighten the risk of a rapid program revival. Sustained international pressure, enhanced intelligence, and robust verification mechanisms are critical to prevent Iran from advancing toward nuclear weaponization, which could destabilize the region and global security.

Background: A Strike Amid Tensions

On June 23, 2025, at dawn, the United States, in coordination with Israel, conducted a military strike targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. The U.S. publicly acknowledged responsibility for the attack, which occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the collapse of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). AEOI condemned the strike as a violation of international law, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), accusing both the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating the aggression. The following outlines Iran's official responses and the broader implications.

Iran's Condemnation: A Historic Violation

Mohammadreza Kardan, Deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organization and Head of the National Nuclear Safety System Center, denounced the attacks as unprecedented:

"According to all laws, regulations, and international norms, attacks on active nuclear facilities of any country should not be carried out…Throughout history, we have not witnessed any attacks on nuclear facilities in the world. Unfortunately, the recent actions of the Zionist regime and the U.S. government's aggression against our country's nuclear facilities have occurred for the first time."

Kardan: Aggression against our country's nuclear facilities has occurred for the first time

Safety Measures: No Contamination Detected

Kardan sought to reassure the public about safety protocols:

"Prior planning and precautions had been taken to ensure the safety and health of our dear nation's people. Despite the criminal acts of aggression this morning on nuclear facilities, due to the previous preparations and implemented measures, no radioactive contamination or nuclear radiation has been detected outside these sites and facilities….The public can continue their daily lives without concern in the areas surrounding these sites."

Official Statement: Defiance and Accusations

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed that: "Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran - including Fordow, no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported...we don’t expect that there will be any health consequences for people or the environment outside the targeted sites.”

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issued a formal statement, framing the attack as a breach of international norms:

"In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Following the savage attacks by the Zionist enemy in recent days, at dawn today, the country's nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan were attacked in a barbaric act that violates international law, notably the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), by the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This act, contrary to international regulations, was unfortunately carried out under the indifference, if not complicity, of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The American enemy, through its President, via cyberspace, has taken responsibility for the attacks on these sites, which fall under continuous monitoring of the IAEA according to the Safeguards Agreement and NPT.

It is expected that the international community, while condemning this lawlessness rooted in the law of the jungle, will stand with Iran in defending its legitimate rights.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the proud Iranian nation that, "despite the enemies' malicious conspiracies," the unwavering efforts of "thousands of revolutionary and dedicated scientists and experts" will ensure that the advancement of "this national industry—built upon the blood of nuclear martyrs"— will not be stopped.

AEOI Iran Vows to Continue Nuclear Path "Built on the Blood of Martyrs" Despite Enemy Attacks

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has formally asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate alleged illegal U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. In a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, the AEOI accused the U.S. of violating international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and warned it may pursue legal action if the IAEA fails to act. Iran also criticized the IAEA's silence and called on peace-loving nations to defend the global non-proliferation regime.

Safety Assessments: National Nuclear Safety System Center

The National Nuclear Safety System Center confirmed the absence of radioactive risks:

"Following the criminal U.S. attack on the nuclear sites of Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, which violates international law—including the NPT and other related international regulations concerning nuclear safety and security—this center immediately carried out assessments regarding potential radioactive contamination around the mentioned sites.

It is hereby announced that, due to the preparations and pre-established safety protocols, and based on data recorded by radioactive material detection systems, no signs of contamination have been detected. Therefore, there is no threat to residents living around these sites."

Public Guidance: Combating Misinformation

The Atomic Energy Organization urged citizens to rely on official sources:

"False news and non-expert analyses published by unreliable sources should not be accepted as a basis for judgment or cause for alarm. The public is expected to obtain their information only from credible authorities, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the National Nuclear Safety System Center, and to disregard rumors and non-expert commentary."

Unanswered Questions: The Fate of Fordo's Enriched Uranium

Significant uncertainty surrounds the enriched uranium stored at the Fordo facility. It remains unclear whether the material was destroyed during the U.S. strike or covertly relocated before the attack, limited transparency from Iranian authorities, and restricted IAEA access to the site post-attack, fuel speculation. The status of Fordo's enriched uranium—and its implications for Iran's nuclear ambitions—remains a critical unresolved issue, pending independent verification.

Iran's Nuclear Ambitions: A Resilient Pursuit

If the Iranian regime survives the political fallout from the U.S.-Israeli strikes, it is likely to persist in advancing its military nuclear program. The attacks on June 23, 2025, may have achieved a short-term delay in Iran's nuclear ambitions, but they are unlikely to halt the program entirely. Iran is believed to maintain undisclosed enrichment and development sites, which could serve as a foundation for rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. Potential support from allies like North Korea, with its nuclear expertise and history of covert cooperation with Iran, could accelerate these efforts.

Iran's proven resilience, coupled with its ability to operate clandestine facilities and exploit gaps in international oversight, suggests it may pursue alternative pathways, such as acquiring nuclear materials through illicit networks or intensifying research in secret locations.

Over the medium to long term, the threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon persists, particularly if Iran accelerates its weapon development efforts in retaliation for the recent strikes. Without continuous military and international pressure, improved intelligence, and stringent verification mechanisms, Iran's drive toward nuclear weaponization could intensify, presenting the same severe risk to regional and global stability.