Iran has announced plans to rebuild its nuclear facilities damaged in US and Israeli strikes earlier this year, with President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirming that the country’s atomic program is peaceful and not aimed at developing nuclear weapons. The coordinated airstrikes targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites in June 2025, causing significant damage.
According to President Pezeshkian, the scientific knowledge and expertise of Iranian scientists remain intact, and the destruction of buildings and factories will not hinder the country’s nuclear progress. He emphasized that nuclear technology has various applications, primarily serving medicine, agriculture, and industry, with only a fraction related to weapons development. Pezeshkian stressed that building a nuclear weapon is not on Iran’s agenda, contrary to Western claims.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, short of the 90% required for weapons production. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi noted that there is no proof of Iran’s nuclear weapons development, as enriched uranium alone does not constitute a weapon. Efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, aimed at curbing enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, have stalled since the June strikes.
Meanwhile, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, announced plans to build eight new nuclear power plants in cooperation with Russia, aiming to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power by 2041. This move is intended to expand Iran’s energy capacity. The construction of new nuclear power plants and the rebuilding of damaged facilities demonstrate Iran’s commitment to its atomic program, which it claims is solely for peaceful purposes.
The situation has led to increased tensions between Iran and Western nations, with the US warning of potential renewed strikes if Iran restarts its damaged nuclear sites. Iran has restricted Western monitoring of its nuclear sites, demanding guarantees before talks resume. As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities, with a focus on verifying the peaceful nature of its program.