Suspicious movement has been identified at Iran’s nuclear sites recently struck by U.S. forces, reigniting fears about Tehran’s ongoing nuclear ambitions.
According to Breitbart, the U.N. atomic watchdog, no fresh uranium enrichment has been discovered, but concerns remain about Iran’s remaining stockpile and its growing missile capabilities.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it detected unusual activity at three major Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—all bombed by the U.S. in June following Iran's censure for violating nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Post-Strike Concerns Remain Unresolved
These facilities, once central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, suffered extensive damage and are no longer operational, per recent assessments from both the IAEA and Iranian officials. Still, that hasn’t closed the book on Iran’s nuclear threat. The agency confirmed that Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium—enriched up to 60%—survived the airstrikes.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, told reporters that while inspectors are monitoring activity again, access remains limited. “We do not see anything that would give rise to the hypothesis of any substantive work going on there,” he said.
IAEA Struggles With Limited Access
Let’s not pretend for a second that "no enrichment" means "no risk." Iran is still sitting on nuclear material that’s a stone’s throw away from weapons-grade, and the IAEA wants answers.
The bulk of this enriched uranium remains inside Iran and, by some assessments, might be buried within the ruins of those targeted facilities. “This is very, very important,” Grossi emphasized. “We need to go back there and to confirm that the material is there and it’s not being diverted to any other use.”
Right now, inspectors are being kept from several key sites. Open dialogue between the IAEA and Tehran is reportedly ongoing, and negotiations to resume full inspections are in motion—but we’ve heard this one before.
Iran's Missile Fuel Raises New Alarms
Meanwhile, while the world watches the uranium question, another issue is taking shape. Iran, never one to stay idle, appears to be replenishing its missile stockpiles with ingredients imported under the radar.
European intelligence sources have revealed that Iran recently received 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China—a chemical compound used to make solid rocket fuel for ballistic missiles. That amount, according to weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis, is sufficient to put together about 500 missiles. Designed or not, this is hardly a goodwill gesture to the international community.
Missile Plans Suggest Military Priorities
Let’s remember: Iran had previously aimed to produce some 200 missiles per month. After losing much of its arsenal, it now seems determined to rebuild, stacking missile tubes while diplomats swap pleasantries.
Though the U.N. restricts Iran from building nuke-capable missiles, these fuel imports don’t technically violate sanctions. In other words, the line between legal and lethal has become disturbingly thin. Grossi’s cautious language—citing “industrial activity” that doesn’t “imply enrichment”—leaves plenty of room for skepticism. After all, when major sites are buzzing and accountability is shielded, it's hard to buy into the idea of harmless tinkering.
Global Watchdogs Face a Difficult Road
The bigger issue isn’t just what Iran might be hiding—it's what the global community is willing to accept. With limited site access, a silent uranium stockpile, and hundreds of potential missile launches down the road, enforcement is turning into guesswork.
“Will we get access to this uranium? And what will happen to it then?” Grossi asked, raising questions as big as the ones still unanswered. Will Iran turn the material over, water it down, or send it abroad? Only Tehran knows—and they’re not exactly volunteering clarity. Until the holes in inspections are patched and uranium is confirmed accounted for, Iran’s ambitions will remain an open—and dangerous—question. Talk is cheap. Enrichment isn’t.
