US-IsraelStrikes Destroyed Facilities, Not the Fallout: Iran’s 400kg Uranium Enough to Make 10 Nuclear Bomb

Despite a high-profile joint military operation by the United States and Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the most alarming part of Iran’s nuclear program—around 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—remains unaccounted for. Experts warn that this missing stockpile is enough to produce up to ten nuclear weapons, leaving the core threat unresolved even after the dramatic strikes.

The mission, executed last week, saw US B-2 Spirit bombers drop bunker-busting munitions on Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These sites, some buried deep under mountains, were believed to house critical components of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. The operation followed suspicious satellite imagery showing truck convoys moving in and out of Fordow, indicating a possible last-minute evacuation of sensitive materials.

Vice President JD Vance confirmed during an interview that while the nuclear sites were “severely damaged,” the 400kg of 60% enriched uranium—the material just one step away from weapons-grade—was not recovered or destroyed. The situation has left US intelligence agencies scrambling for answers. According to analysts, the uranium could have been quickly dispersed in small, easily concealed containers—making it difficult to trace or target, even with superior surveillance.

How the Strikes Unfolded

Israel, long concerned about Iran reaching nuclear breakout capability, reportedly urged the United States to use its most advanced bunker-buster bombs. Six GBU-37 bombs were used to hit the deeply fortified Fordow facility. President Trump later claimed a "very successful" mission and announced a ceasefire, declaring, “Now is the time for peace.” But intelligence officials and nuclear experts aren’t so confident.

Post-strike analysis by satellite firms like TS2 Space and the Open Source Centre in London confirmed heavy movement in and around the sites days before the bombing. Trucks disappeared from the images shortly before the attack, raising fears that Iran anticipated the strike and swiftly relocated key materials.

Where Did the Uranium Go?

The biggest unanswered question remains the fate of the enriched uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it last verified the stockpile about a week before the first missile landed. Since then, the agency has had no access to inspect or verify the materials. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi urged the UN Security Council to demand renewed inspections, warning that further delays could close the window for diplomacy.

There’s also concern about centrifuges—the machines used to enrich uranium. Reports suggest Iran may have moved some advanced units along with the fuel, possibly to underground sites unknown to international observers.

Is Iran Still a Nuclear Threat?

Tehran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and civilian in nature. But after the strikes, Iranian officials warned that they may quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a bold statement, Deputy Foreign Minister Takht Ravanchi said: “No one can tell us what to do…”

Contrary to earlier assessments that Iran was not actively building a bomb, US intelligence has now shifted its stance. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who earlier downplayed Iran’s capabilities, admitted that Iran could produce nuclear weapons “within weeks” if it chose to do so.

A Threat Delayed, Not Defeated

Experts agree that while the strikes may have delayed Iran’s program, they have not dismantled it. Israeli intelligence analysts believe that Iran may now be operating on a smaller, more covert scale. According to Ronen Solomon, an Israeli security expert, “They have the uranium, but unless they’ve built something we haven’t detected, they can’t weaponize it yet. But we can’t be sure.”

Kelsey Davenport, a senior analyst on arms control, pointed out how easily transportable the enriched material is, making it almost impossible to track. “It’s stored in small canisters. A car is enough.”

Despite the bold military action and political declarations of victory, the situation remains dangerously uncertain. The United States acknowledges that it still doesn’t have full visibility on Iran’s current nuclear capabilities or where its most critical materials are hidden.

Vice President JD Vance hinted that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open, but warned that the US would respond forcefully if Tehran escalates. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, admitted on national television that “no one knows for sure” what happened to the uranium stockpile.

The strikes may have shaken Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—but not the nuclear threat itself. The fact that Iran still holds enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs—and no one knows exactly where it is—makes the situation more volatile than ever.

In this high-stakes geopolitical chess match, one truth looms large: the bombs dropped, but the danger didn’t disappear.