Following the recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, senior Israeli military sources have revealed a significant development. While the United States maintains that its bombing campaign, which targeted key sites including the underground Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, successfully destroyed the facilities, Israel has disclosed that Iran had anticipated the attack and moved a large stockpile of enriched uranium to a secure location in advance.
The US Air Force launched coordinated strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow early Sunday morning. Although the United States had long supported Israel in the ongoing conflict, this marked Washington’s official entry into the war. US President Donald Trump personally announced the operation on social media shortly after the attack.
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were used in the operation, deploying advanced bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate fortified underground structures. Trump described the airstrikes as a blow and Iran would never forget. In response, Iranian authorities confirmed that the nuclear sites had been targeted but claimed the damage was not substantial.
Amid these conflicting narratives, two senior Israeli military officials came forward with a new revelation. In an interview with The New York Times on Monday, they stated that Iran had moved approximately 400 kilograms of enriched uranium from its nuclear sites to a secure location prior to the strikes.
According to the officials, the uranium in question is enriched to 60 percent purity. While weapons-grade uranium requires enrichment to about 90 percent, the transferred material is already at a level considered dangerously close to weapons-grade. This development suggests that Iran retains the capacity to advance its nuclear weapons programme despite the US bombing.
The Israeli officials emphasised that this situation poses a serious threat, as it indicates Iran could still proceed with the final stages of weaponization. The movement of such a large quantity of near-weapons-grade uranium reflects both strategic foresight and potential continued intent to develop nuclear weapons capabilities.
There had also been concerns about possible nuclear radiation hazards following the US airstrikes, particularly due to the destruction of underground enrichment facilities. However, Iranian officials dismissed these fears, stating that there were no radioactive materials present at the targeted sites. Israeli officials argue that this statement reinforces their claim, that sensitive materials had been removed in advance of the attack.
The revelations by Israeli officials raise fresh questions about the effectiveness of the US strike and the future trajectory of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
