Introduction

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a massive series of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and top military personnel, nuclear bomb claiming Iran was mere months away from building a nuclear weapon. The Iranian government insists its nuclear programme remains peaceful, while the international community is alarmed by escalating tensions that could trigger regional war.

Why Did Israel Attack Iran’s Nuclear Sites?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the operation by stating, “If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.” He claimed that intelligence showed “concrete progress” by the Iranian regime in developing nuclear bomb components, including a uranium metal core and neutron initiators.

These claims follow reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warning that Iran had amassed enough uranium enriched to 60% purity to potentially make nine nuclear bombs—a short technical step from weapons-grade (90%).

Was Iran Actually Building a Bomb?

The evidence remains controversial. US intelligence and nuclear experts say Iran is not currently building a bomb, although it has accumulated alarming quantities of enriched uranium. The IAEA has not confirmed active weaponization, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is believed to have not authorized a weapons program since suspending it in 2003.

Still, the stockpile is “unprecedented for a non-nuclear state,” said US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in her March 2025 briefing to Congress. Iran’s ongoing defiance of IAEA inspections—especially at undeclared sites—raises red flags about its true intentions.

Israel’s Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure

The Natanz enrichment plant, a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear program, was a primary target. The IAEA confirmed that Israel destroyed above-ground power infrastructure and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), where 60%-enriched uranium was being produced.

Satellite images showed visible damage, and it’s unclear whether the underground centrifuge hall was also affected. The Institute for Science and International Security noted the loss of PFEP as “highly significant” to Iran’s technical capabilities.

Additional Sites Hit: Fordo and Isfahan

Iran later informed the IAEA that Israel also attacked the Fordo enrichment facility and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre. The Israeli military said its strikes dismantled uranium metal production and reconversion infrastructure—both considered key to weaponization.

Nuclear expert Kelsey Davenport said that while the strikes increase Iran’s breakout time, they cannot eliminate Iran’s nuclear knowledge. “Iran can rebuild—and faster than before,” she warned.

Was Iran Months Away From a Nuclear Bomb?

Yes—and no. Iran was at “near-zero breakout” according to non-proliferation experts. This means that while it had enough fissile material for a bomb, it hadn’t completed the steps required to weaponize it. Such steps include building a warhead, integrating it with delivery systems, and finalizing trigger mechanisms—all of which would likely take months to a year.

The IAEA’s latest findings suggest Iran’s nuclear trajectory is dangerous, but not necessarily active weaponization. The lack of transparency and inspections fuels distrust and justifies preemptive actions from states like Israel.

Global Reaction and Fallout

Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets following the strikes, triggering fears of a wider conflict. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, accused Israel of risking a “radiological disaster.” Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is scrambling to respond to a crisis that could engulf the entire Middle East.

Israel insists the operation will continue “as many days as it takes to remove the threat.” But many experts believe Israel’s true goal may be regime change in Tehran—a dangerous gamble with global consequences.

Conclusion

Was Iran just months away from producing a nuclear bomb? The answer is nuanced. Technically, yes—its stockpiles and enrichment levels reached the danger zone. But politically and operationally, there was no confirmed directive to build a weapon. What is clear now is that the Middle East stands on the brink, and the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing.

Stay updated on the latest developments with our Iran-Israel Conflict Timeline.