Iran stops all uranium enrichment after US-Israel bomb nuclear sites

Iran's Foreign Minister AAAbbas Araghchi announced on Nov. 16, 2025 that Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country. He told an AP journalist visiting Iran that enrichment stopped because Israel and the US bombed Iran's enrichment facilities during a 12-day war in Jun. 2025. Araghchi said all facilities are under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and monitoring. Satellite photos analyzed by AP show Iran hasn't done major work at the bombed sites at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz since the attacks.

Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity - a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of approximately 90% - after Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Iran's enrichment capacity at Fordo, one of its most heavily fortified facilities built inside a mountain, was destroyed in the Jun. bombing. The attacks also targeted nuclear scientists and Iran's ballistic missile program. The US joined Israel in launching attacks on Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear sites.

The IAEA hasn't been able to verify Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles for five months because Iran continues denying inspectors entry to nuclear locations targeted during Jun. bombardment. IAEA protocols require monthly verification of highly enriched uranium stockpiles, particularly material reaching 60% purity levels. The agency demanded for months that Tehran reveal the material's location and restore full inspection access. A Sep. Cairo agreement intended to enable this, but limited progress occurred and Iran now considers the agreement void.

Araghchi left open the possibility of further negotiations with the US but said 🌲Washington's demands don't suggest readiness for equal, fair negotiations. He emphasized Iran's right to enrichment for peaceful use of nuclear technology is undeniable and Iran would never give up that right. Trump hinted last week at potential discussions with Iran. Tehranand Washington underwent five rounds of indirect nuclear talks prior to the 12-day war, but faced obstacles including domestic uranium enrichment, which the US wants Iran to abandon.

European nations pushed through a measure to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran over the nuclear program in Sep. 2025. The IAEA's Board of Governors was set to meet the week of Nov. 18 and could vote on a new resolution targeting Iran over its failure to cooperate fully with the agency. Iran has responded to previous censure resolutions with escalations in uranium enrichment. Israel launched its Jun. attacks on Iran one day after the IAEA passed a European-tabled resolution finding Tehran noncompliant with its nuclear safeguards commitments.

Iran finds itself in a difficult position after the war. Israel decimated the country's air defense systems, potentially leaving the door open to further airstrikes as tensions remain high over Tehran's nuclear program. MEMohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, told a summit that Tehran had been threatened over potentially accessing the bombed enrichment sites. He said their security situation hasn't changed and they're told if you touch anything, you'll be attacked.

Economic pressures and societal change continue to challenge Iran's Shiite theocracy. The government has held off on making decisions on whether to enforce its mandatory hijab laws or raise the price of government-subsidized gasoline, both of which have sparked nationwide protests in the past. Iran's government issued a three-day visa for the AP reporter to attend a summit titled International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense, which included papers offering Tehran's view of the 12-day war.