Iran Says It’s No Longer Enriching Uranium After US Strikes on Facilities

Iran is no longer enriching uranium anywhere in the country, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed during an international summit held in Tehran on Nov. 16.

“There is no enrichment right now because our facilities—our enrichment facilities—have been attacked,” Araghchi said at the International Law Under Assault summit.

The foreign minister’s comments provided support for the Trump administration’s claim that the United States and Israel “completely and totally obliterated” three nuclear sites in Iran on June 21.

Iran previously stated, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged.”

Araghchi indicated that the attacks over the summer did not change the country’s stance on its nuclear program.

“Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable,” Araghchi said.

“We have this right, and we continue to exercise that, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognize our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we would never give up our rights.”

The summer mission—dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer—included more than 125 U.S. aircraft, as well as warships and layers of deception, as it targeted sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan overnight on June 21–22.

The strikes dropped bunker-buster bombs inside Fordow, Iran’s primary nuclear site, which is buried deep inside of a mountain located 60 miles southwest of Tehran.

Strikes also targeted Natanz, Iran’s largest nuclear facility, and Isfahan, which was a nuclear facility that housed three Chinese research reactors and labs.

All American aircraft involved in the strikes returned to the United States unharmed.

“The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!!!” President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on June 22.

After the attack, the director general of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, was unable to confirm the extent of the damage to the enrichment plants because officials couldn’t tour the sites.

But Trump touted a successful mission.

“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,” he said in a White House statement on June 25.

“Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”

Araghchi initially said the strikes “are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.” He added at the time that Iran “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest[s], and people.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.