US intelligence agencies have concluded that Iran, or potentially another group, could retrieve highly enriched uranium buried beneath the nuclear site in Isfahan following US strikes last year, The New York Times reported, citing officials familiar with classified assessments.
According to the report, the uranium stockpile was buried under rubble after American attacks on the facility, but intelligence officials believe it may still be reachable.
The New York Times wrote that the Iranian government can currently reach the material through a very narrow access point, though it remains unclear how quickly the uranium could be moved.
The uranium is stored in gas form and kept inside specialized canisters, the report said.
US officials said American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the Isfahan nuclear site and maintain continuous surveillance of the area.
They said the United States has a high level of confidence it would be able to detect — and respond to — any attempt by Iran or other actors to remove the uranium from the facility.
