Iran’s Nuclear Program ‘Remains Largely Intact’ After US Strikes
In front of a picture of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Shahab-3 missile, a weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching Europe, Israel and U.S. forces in the Middle East, is displayed during a parade ceremony, marking 25th anniversary of the outset of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) in front of the mausoleum of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005
There are key factors casting doubt on the effectiveness of recent US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Russian nuclear expert Alexei Anpilogov tells Sputnik. Iran’s uranium stockpiles remain large:• About 3 tons enriched to 2%• Over 3.5 tons enriched to 5%• Hundreds of kilograms enriched to 20% and even 60% uranium-235No signs of radiation leaks or toxic gas releases were reported after the strikes, suggesting the attacks did not reach underground uranium stores.Satellite images show quick repairs:• Explosion crater near the Natanz nuclear site filled in within 2 days• Implies the damage was shallow and repairableThe US bunker-buster bomb (GBU-57) penetrates up to 60 meters only in soft soil.• Iranian facilities are mostly under hard rock where penetration is limited to 2.5–18 meters — likely too shallow to destroy key targets.Two likely scenarios:1. Strikes damaged only surface structures (vent shafts, entrances).2. Uranium was moved beforehand to secret sites unknown to US intelligence.
