‘Game’s Not Over’: Iran To Continue Nuclear Programme Despite US-Israeli Strikes, Holds 400 Kg Of Highly Enriched Uranium

Iran on Tuesday (24 June) declared that it will continue its nuclear programme despite recent US and Israeli airstrikes on key uranium enrichment facilities, the Hindu reported. 

“The game is not over,” said a close aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asserting that Iran still holds stocks of enriched uranium amid growing global concern over its whereabouts.

The US, under President Donald Trump, launched coordinated strikes on 21 June targeting Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs. Trump claimed the strikes “completely and totally obliterated” the facilities.

However, Iranian authorities say their nuclear ambitions remain intact.

“We have taken the necessary measures and are taking stock of the damage,” said Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, on state television.

“Plans for restarting (the facilities) have been prepared in advance, and our strategy is to ensure that production and services are not disrupted,” he added.

Amid uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear material, US officials acknowledged the stockpile remains unaccounted for.

When asked about the missing 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, US Vice President JD Vance told ABC News that the administration “would work in the coming weeks to do something about the fuel and would have conversations with the Iranians.”

In a separate interview with Fox News, US Vice President J D Vance indicated that Iran’s uranium stockpile may now lie buried beneath the nuclear facilities targeted in the recent airstrikes.

He said the objective of the operation was to bury the uranium, and expressed confidence that this had been achieved.

This escalation followed Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on 13 June, which targeted Iran’s nuclear sites and military leadership. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel, prompting the US to join the conflict. A ceasefire, brokered by President Trump, was announced on Tuesday, ending what he called “THE 12 DAY WAR.”

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