In a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared victory over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This announcement came after 12 days of military operations aimed at dismantling key nuclear sites in Iran, which the leaders claimed had been effectively obliterated.
During a press briefing, Trump stated that three nuclear facilities had been destroyed, while Netanyahu emphasized that Israel had neutralized an immediate threat posed by Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile program. This operation marked a notable achievement that the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had struggled to accomplish over two decades of monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities.
Dr. Or Rabinowitz, a nuclear proliferation expert, commented on the IAEA’s limitations, noting that it cannot stop a country from diverting nuclear materials for military purposes. He highlighted that the agency can only provide warnings and that its effectiveness largely depends on the cooperation of its member states.
Just days before the military strikes, the IAEA reported that Iran possessed approximately 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, enough to potentially create nine nuclear bombs. This alarming finding led the IAEA’s board of governors to declare that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.
The military action by Israel came in response to escalating threats from Iran, which had been launching ballistic missiles into Israeli territory. Dr. Yoel Guzansky, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, criticized the UN’s failure to address Iran’s aggressive actions while highlighting the challenges faced by the IAEA.
Despite the successful strikes, the IAEA’s Director General Rafael Grossi refrained from commending the U.S. and Israeli actions. He expressed concern that the ongoing conflict could undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, urging for a diplomatic resolution to avoid further escalation.
As the dust settles from the recent military operations, the international community remains watchful. Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies any intentions to develop nuclear weapons. However, experts warn that Iran’s history of non-compliance raises serious concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
The situation remains fluid, with many questions about the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the effectiveness of international oversight. As tensions persist, the world watches closely to see how this complex geopolitical landscape will unfold.