Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi stated on Tuesday that the uranium enrichment facility in Fordow sustained “serious and strong damage” from U.S. bombers on June 21. He mentioned that Iranian officials are still in the process of evaluating the full extent of the impact.
“No one knows for sure what transpired at Fordow. What we do know is that the facility is facing significant damage,” Araqchi commented in an interview with CBS News on Tuesday.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is busy assessing the situation, and a report will soon be presented to the government.
While Araqchi did not directly counter President Trump’s claims that Iran’s nuclear progress has been “completely wiped out,” he appeared less assured than the head of Iran’s International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, regarding the timeline for enriching uranium.
“We can’t just erase technology and science for enrichment through bombing. If we have the will to advance in this industry, we can quickly repair the damage and make up for lost time,” Araqchi noted. “So far, no one has stated that the facility will remain as it is. What still exists is the technology and the expertise,” he added.
He refrained from discussing Israel’s impact on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Despite accusations of enriched uranium levels that far surpassed what one might expect for peaceful purposes, Araqchi maintained Iran’s position that its nuclear program is solely intended for peaceful use.
“We’ve accomplished a lot to ensure the enrichment sector thrives. Our scientists have worked diligently over the past two decades, even while Iran faced heavy sanctions for a nuclear program that we assert is peaceful,” he stated.
He expressed that Iranian pride in their nuclear program has grown amidst challenges, including the assassination of scientists and disruption of facilities.
“We will keep striving to convince the international community that our intentions regarding our nuclear program remain genuinely peaceful,” Araqchi remarked.
He further lamented that there isn’t a universally accepted fatwa or religious order from the Supreme Leader affirming Iran’s non-hostility, which could bolster their claims outside Iran.
“People rarely retreat from their advancements in enrichment, nor do they easily dismantle it,” he concluded, noting offhandedly how Iranians might theatrically assert control over the actions of their government.
The situation at Fordow has turned into a topic of political contention in the United States. Democrats have seemingly tried to downplay the damage from the U.S. strike on June 21, relying on incomplete preliminary information that was leaked. Recently, intercepted communications between Iranian officials suggested the damage might not be as grave as initially feared.
In contrast, the Trump administration referenced more comprehensive intelligence reports and the Israeli military to affirm that Fordow is indeed experiencing significant difficulties.
