Iran Pledges to Press On with Nuclear Programme Despite US and Israeli Strikes
Iran Pledges to Press On with Nuclear Programme Despite US and Israeli Strikes
Despite a wave of military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting its nuclear infrastructure, Iran has vowed to continue with its nuclear programme unabated.
In a statement broadcast on state television on Tuesday, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, confirmed that the government had “taken the necessary measures” to ensure the programme’s continuity. He noted that officials are currently evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the strikes but emphasized that contingency plans had already been prepared.
“Plans for restarting the facilities were developed in advance, and our strategy is to prevent any disruption to production and essential services,” Eslami stated, suggesting a level of preparedness for such attacks.
The United States launched coordinated airstrikes on Sunday against several key Iranian nuclear facilities, including those in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz—sites that are central to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. The Fordo facility, in particular, is deeply fortified, buried under a mountain to withstand military attacks.
Following the operation, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a “spectacular military success,” though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Analysts have noted that Iran’s underground enrichment sites are among the most heavily protected in the world, raising questions about the long-term impact of the bombings.
Meanwhile, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, downplayed the effect of the strikes, asserting that Iran still possesses significant stockpiles of enriched uranium. “The game is not over,” he declared, signaling Tehran’s determination to continue pursuing its nuclear ambitions despite mounting international pressure.
Adding to the tension, Israel announced on Monday that it had carried out an additional strike on the Fordo site, with the intention of “obstructing access routes” to the facility. The repeated targeting of Fordo highlights its strategic importance in Iran’s nuclear framework and Israel’s ongoing concern about Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
The escalation has sparked international concern about a potential broader conflict in the region, with calls for restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement. However, both Washington and Tel Aviv have maintained that the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.
As both sides harden their positions, the situation remains highly volatile, with no immediate pathway to de-escalation in sight.
