### Summary: Following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear installations, an Israeli official suggests that some enriched uranium remains retrievable, although US intelligence offers a more nuanced assessment of the facilities' status.
### Title: Israeli Intelligence Claims Iran May Retrieve Enriched Uranium Post-US Air Strike
### Title: Israeli Intelligence Claims Iran May Retrieve Enriched Uranium Post-US Air Strike
### Description: Israeli officials believe Iran could access enriched uranium from a struck facility, despite US assertions of total destruction.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a point of contention following recent US strikes on its nuclear facilities, particularly in Isfahan, which were part of "Operation Midnight Hammer" on June 22. A senior Israeli official shared with US reporters that although the US may have significantly damaged these sites, Iran could potentially recover enriched uranium that was not fully destroyed. The assertion points to continued risks regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as the official warned that attempts to access the uranium would likely result in renewed strikes from Israel.
Former President Donald Trump has stated that the strikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, a claim echoed by White House press secretary Anna Kelly, emphasizing a perception that global safety has improved due to their administration's actions. However, differing assessments from US intelligence agencies complicate this narrative. According to a leaked preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report, the targeted sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—sustained substantial damage but were not entirely annihilated.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe articulated that the strikes curtailed Iran's access to materials essential for nuclear weapons production. Conversely, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi warned against claims of complete destruction, confirming that while the facilities suffered critical damage, remnants still exist.
Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the severe impact on the facilities, suggesting that full analysis of the damage would take time and indicating limited access to their nuclear program. The situation raises significant concerns about the potential resurgence of Iran’s nuclear capabilities against a backdrop of international unease.
