As questions swirl over the fate of Iran’s nuclear stockpile, Israeli officials claim precise knowledge—while silence from Tehran adds to the suspense
Israel says it knows where Iran’s enriched uranium is—and much of it, they believe, is sitting beneath piles of bombed concrete.
That explosive claim came from a Saudi news channel this week, citing an unnamed Israeli security source who told Al Hadath that most of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is now trapped under rubble. The source didn’t elaborate on how Israel arrived at that conclusion—but the timing, coming on the heels of Israel’s 12-day air campaign and American strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, is no coincidence.
A war of bombs—and silence
The quiet from Iran has been deafening.
Since the strikes began on June 13, Iranian authorities have said little about the operational status of their nuclear program. There’ve been no updates from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. No televised statements from nuclear chiefs. Not even footage of restored facilities—something Iranian state media often uses to project strength.
In contrast, Israel’s message has been pointed.
Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said earlier this week that the IDF is actively tracking whether Iran is relocating its uranium. But there’s a bigger unknown: is there anything left to move?
The anonymous Israeli source who spoke to Al Hadath was blunt. According to him, most of the uranium is still at the sites Israel hit—namely Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—and it’s now buried under tons of twisted steel and concrete.
A nuclear puzzle with no clear answers
Iran’s program isn’t small, nor is it simple.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran had stockpiled roughly 5,525 kg of enriched uranium by May 2025. That included about 142.1 kg enriched up to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade. These figures were confirmed before the war began. Since then, silence.
Meanwhile, experts say it’s hard to independently verify how much of Iran’s uranium was destroyed, secured, or hidden away.
“There’s no doubt Israel and the U.S. disrupted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” said Dina Esfandiary, senior advisor at the International Crisis Group. “But without eyes on the ground—or satellite proof—it’s impossible to say how much fissile material is actually lost or buried.”
One sentence.
Israel’s confidence, however, seems rooted in more than just guesswork.
Why would Israel reveal this now?
Some believe the leak to Al Hadath was intentional.
Whether to deter Iran from retaliating, reassure Israelis, or simply send a geopolitical message—timing matters. The comment follows two weeks of strategic strikes across Iranian territory and comes amid speculation that the Biden administration is pushing hard behind the scenes to avoid further escalation.
A former Israeli intelligence officer, speaking off the record, told Bloomberg the statement may serve “multiple purposes”—including:
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Discrediting Iran’s nuclear leverage in future talks
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Justifying Israel’s preemptive military actions
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Calming Israeli citizens who fear nuclear retaliation
He added, “If Iran’s most sensitive material is inaccessible—even to them—that buys Israel time.”
The three facilities that were hit hardest
The U.S. and Israeli airstrikes focused on Iran’s crown jewels of uranium enrichment: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Each facility plays a different role in Iran’s nuclear puzzle:
| Facility | Location | Purpose | Strike Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fordow | Near Qom | Enriches uranium to high levels underground | Yes |
| Natanz | Central Iran | Main enrichment plant, centrifuge hub | Yes |
| Isfahan | Near Yazd | Conversion & fuel fabrication | Yes |
These weren’t symbolic targets. These were the heart of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Still, Iran hasn’t revealed the damage assessment. And with IAEA inspectors unable to access the country since early June, there’s no neutral accounting yet.
Tehran’s silence, and what it might mean
Iran’s state media has focused on national resilience and anti-Israel rhetoric. But there have been no technical briefings. No walkthroughs of damaged sites. No images of scientists getting back to work.
That absence has spurred speculation.
Some analysts suggest that Iran may genuinely be struggling to recover. Others think the silence is strategic—meant to prevent revealing vulnerabilities or panic. Either way, it’s unusual.
One sentence.
“There’s a vacuum of facts right now, which is dangerous,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “This isn’t just a regional issue. If Iran’s nuclear material is missing, compromised, or mobile—that affects everyone.”
U.S. officials keep distance, but stay alert
Washington has been notably cautious in commenting on Israel’s strikes.
American officials have confirmed their own role in hitting Iranian targets, including logistics and missile systems. But they’ve refrained from offering details on uranium stockpiles. Behind the scenes, U.S. intelligence agencies are likely conducting their own assessments using satellite imagery, signals intercepts, and regional informants.
One U.S. defense official told NBC News, “We’re watching closely, especially for any signs Iran is trying to recover or move its material.”
Still, without boots on the ground—or access to inspectors—most of what’s happening in Iran remains a black box.
What comes next?
Everyone’s guessing.
If Israel’s claim is true, and most enriched uranium is buried or inaccessible, that may set Iran’s program back months—maybe years. But if Iran had already moved some of its most sensitive material before the strikes, then it may still have a nuclear card to play.
And then there’s the possibility that Iran is preparing a major public move—perhaps a re-announcement of enrichment at new, unknown facilities.
