In a dramatic announcement over the weekend, Donald Trump declared that U.S. airstrikes had wiped out Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting the Islamic Republic no longer posed a threat of developing nuclear weapons.
But global experts and watchdogs are warning: the reality may be far more complicated—and dangerous.
Despite Airstrikes, Iran’s Nuclear Stockpile May Still Be Intact
Trump’s “Operation Midnight Hammer” might have delivered a visual blow, but it hasn’t wiped away Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently confirmed that Iran had stockpiled over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%—enough to build an atomic bomb like those dropped during World War II.
While such bombs are bulky and not easily deployable, experts say Iran could reach the 90% enrichment level needed for modern, missile-compatible nuclear warheads in just a matter of weeks—if they haven’t already.
Underground Secrets and a Dangerous Game of Hide and Seek
Much of Iran’s enriched uranium may have been moved in anticipation of the airstrikes.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hinted that the stash is now at an undisclosed location, a theory backed by Israeli intelligence.
IAEA teams last saw the uranium just days before the bombing, noting it was stored in small casks that could fit into car trunks, making it highly portable.
Satellite imagery later captured 16 trucks leaving the Fordow facility—a deeply buried nuclear site—along with heavy security activity and bulldozers potentially sealing off entrances.
Where that uranium went remains a mystery.
Bombing May Backfire by Reinforcing Iran’s Nuclear Determination
Instead of halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, experts believe the strikes may be pushing Tehran to double down on its efforts. Dr. Andreas Krieg, a Middle East security expert, warned that the attacks could strengthen Iran’s belief that a nuclear deterrent is vital for regime survival.
Dr. Andreas Boehm, an international law specialist, went even further, arguing that recent global conflicts have shown rogue states that only possessing nuclear weapons ensures protection from foreign intervention.
Macron and Others Fear Iran Could Go Underground—Literally
French President Emmanuel Macron publicly stated his concern that Iran might now resume secret uranium enrichment, making detection harder.
That’s especially alarming given that much of Iran’s uranium infrastructure—like Fordow and Natanz—is buried under thick layers of rock and concrete, making it hard to destroy completely.
Centrifuges May Be Damaged, but Iran Has Backup Plans
The U.S. and Israeli strikes reportedly caused significant damage at key facilities like Natanz and Isfahan, with visible craters and infrastructure impacts.
The centrifuges at Natanz are likely destroyed, but Fordow’s status remains uncertain.
And while some capabilities may be offline, Iran has a history of covert operations.
One such location is a mysterious site near Natanz—dubbed Pickaxe Mountain—that’s believed to be even deeper than Fordow.
Though Iran claims it’s for centrifuge construction, they’ve blocked IAEA access, raising suspicions it might be another hidden enrichment plant.
Could Iran Walk Away from Nuclear Oversight Completely?
Analysts are now warning that Iran might withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—a move that would eliminate any international oversight of its nuclear activities.
According to treaty rules, a member can pull out if it believes its national interests are in jeopardy.
If Iran takes that route, experts say the global community could lose all visibility on the country’s nuclear program—an alarming possibility in an already fragile region.
Is North Korea Helping Iran Behind the Scenes?
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising claim came from John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser.
In an interview this week, Bolton suggested that parts of Iran’s nuclear program could be operating out of North Korea—deep under mountains where Western surveillance can’t reach.
While he offered little hard evidence, ties between Tehran and Pyongyang have long been suspected.
A 2021 UN report even noted that the two countries had resumed collaboration on long-range missile development.
Shared Technology and a Dangerous Partnership
Security analyst Ankit Panda suggested North Korea could help Iran rebuild damaged missile production sites and possibly even assist with weapons design.
Although North Korea likely wouldn’t share all of its nuclear secrets, it could provide precision engineering expertise to speed up Iran’s development.
The fear is that if Iran receives external support, particularly in non-fissile components and warhead assembly, it could leap forward in its nuclear ambitions—far beyond what sanctions and inspections can restrain.
What’s Next for the Global Community?
As the dust settles, the world is left grappling with one pressing question: Did the strikes slow Iran down—or light a fire under its nuclear ambitions? The coming weeks will be crucial, especially as international leaders weigh options ranging from diplomatic engagement to more aggressive deterrence strategies.
One thing is clear—Iran’s nuclear puzzle is far from solved, and the consequences of missteps could reverberate far beyond the Middle East.v