Netanyahu: Iran Accelerated Uranium Enrichment After Hezbollah's Collapse

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment efforts following what he described as the collapse of Hezbollah and its affiliated militias.

In an interview aired Saturday on Fox News, Netanyahu stated, “We’ve succeeded in delaying Iran’s nuclear program for years,” and revealed that during the recent June war, Israeli forces eliminated more top Iranian nuclear scientists than ever before.

Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is reviewing details in preparation for a possible resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States. However, he insisted Iran’s ballistic capabilities and military strength would not be up for discussion.

“Iran will preserve its military capabilities under all circumstances,” Araghchi told diplomats in Tehran. “These capabilities are non-negotiable.”

He also reiterated Iran’s right to enrich uranium, warning, “We will not accept any agreement that does not include the right to enrichment.”

Araghchi cautioned that if the “snapback” mechanism—which would restore international sanctions on Iran—is activated, it would mark the end of Europe’s role in the nuclear file.

The 12-Day War: A Summary
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the assassination of senior Iranian commanders and scientists.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Israeli territory. The conflict escalated further when U.S. forces struck Iran's underground uranium enrichment site in Fordow, as well as nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz on June 22.

Iran responded by targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, though no casualties were reported. A ceasefire was declared by President Donald Trump on June 24.

Talks Frozen
The brief but intense conflict derailed ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which began in April with the aim of reviving a nuclear deal and easing sanctions.

The core disagreement remains Iran’s insistence on the right to enrich uranium—an issue the Trump administration views as a non-starter.

European countries have warned that without compromise from Iran, they may activate the 2015 nuclear deal’s “snapback” sanctions clause.

According to the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60% purity—well beyond the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 agreement. Nuclear weapons require enrichment levels of 90%.