Iran’s top nuclear official Mohammad Eslami has confirmed that Iran to restore nuclear facilities following Israeli and U.S. strikes—a move that underlines just how resilient Iran’s program remains. Speaking to Mehr News on June 24, Mohammad Eslami said Iran was assessing the damage and arranging restoration efforts, all aimed at maintaining uninterrupted nuclear production and services.
This came amid intense regional tension sparked by an ongoing air‑war between Iran and Israel. Just days earlier, Israel had struck several Iranian nuclear sites—including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—while the U.S. reportedly joined in with bunker‑buster bombs dropped by B‑2 bombers. Those strikes—part of what Israel called “Operation Rising Lion” —destroyed critical infrastructure and killed nuclear scientists, but Iran’s determination to rebuild signals a new phase of escalation and endurance.
Crucially, the IAEA recently flagged Iran as non‑compliant for the first time in twenty years due to undisclosed uranium traces and a suspicious new enrichment plant near Isfahan. Mohammad Eslami’s statement follows the IAEA’s warning that the underground facilities, while disrupted, remain intact. He assured that restoration plans aim to prevent any breaks in production or services, reinforcing a narrative of continuity despite the recent destruction.
Diplomatic efforts are also under strain. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that reviving the 2015 nuclear deal now looks unlikely unless full military de-escalation happens—something that remains tenuous as Iran rebuilds key nuclear sites. Meanwhile, Europe’s proposals in Geneva have been rejected by Tehran as unrealistic, with Iranian officials clear that negotiations cannot proceed while under attack .
Iran appears to be pursuing a two‑track strategy: restoring its nuclear capabilities while broadcasting defiance against Western pressure. Restoration of sites damaged by Israeli and American strikes sends a defiant message, one that may reshape global diplomacy: Iran is intent not only on surviving but on retaining and expanding its nuclear capabilities. International observers caution that secret, underground facilities could be activated, granting Iran rapid enrichment capacity if needed .
For Iran, nuclear development remains central—not just economically, but strategically and politically. Mohammad Eslami’s words reinforce a message to both domestic audiences and foreign capitals: challenges and pressure will not dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Rather, they have hardened its resolve to rebuild—no matter the cost or consequences.
