US Defense Secretary Claims No Known Intelligence of Iran Moving Uranium
No evidence suggests Iran has relocated its highly enriched uranium, according to the US defense chief.
The United States' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that there is no intelligence indicating that Iran has moved any of its highly enriched uranium.
This statement came after a weekend of strikes on Iran's nuclear program by the US military.
Experts had previously suggested that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of Fordow before the strike early Sunday morning.
They also warned that the country may be hiding additional nuclear components in undisclosed locations, as satellite imagery showed unusual activity at the Fordow facility with vehicles lining up outside its entrance.
A senior Iranian source informed Reuters that most of Iran's 60 percent highly enriched uranium had been moved to an undisclosed location before the US attack.
Hegseth refuted these claims during a press briefing where he criticized the media for downplaying the success of the strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
He cited comments from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who stated that the intelligence assessment suggesting only a months-long delay in Iran's nuclear program was low confidence and had been superseded by newer information showing significant damage to Iran's capabilities.
According to Hegseth, rebuilding the country's nuclear infrastructure will take years.
This statement came after a weekend of strikes on Iran's nuclear program by the US military.
Experts had previously suggested that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of Fordow before the strike early Sunday morning.
They also warned that the country may be hiding additional nuclear components in undisclosed locations, as satellite imagery showed unusual activity at the Fordow facility with vehicles lining up outside its entrance.
A senior Iranian source informed Reuters that most of Iran's 60 percent highly enriched uranium had been moved to an undisclosed location before the US attack.
Hegseth refuted these claims during a press briefing where he criticized the media for downplaying the success of the strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
He cited comments from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who stated that the intelligence assessment suggesting only a months-long delay in Iran's nuclear program was low confidence and had been superseded by newer information showing significant damage to Iran's capabilities.
According to Hegseth, rebuilding the country's nuclear infrastructure will take years.
