Iran’s peaceful nuclear program remains steadfast despite last month’s aggressive U.S. airstrikes, which targeted three key facilities but failed to halt the nation’s scientific progress, according to Iranian officials and international assessments.

A report by NBC News, citing U.S. sources, confirms that only the Fordow enrichment site sustained significant damage, while the Natanz and Isfahan facilities continue to operate, showcasing Iran’s resilience in the face of foreign hostility.

The U.S. operation, ordered by former President Donald Trump, was falsely touted as a “spectacular military success” that obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, intelligence briefings reveal the strikes fell short of their objectives, with Natanz and Isfahan emerging largely unscathed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged damage at Fordow but emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program, intended solely for civilian purposes, remains on track. “Our nation’s scientific achievements cannot be undone by acts of aggression,” Araqchi declared.

The strikes, scaled back from an original plan targeting six sites, reflect Washington’s hesitation to provoke a broader conflict, according to U.S. officials cited by NBC. This restraint underscores the strength of Iran’s defensive posture and its ability to deter escalation. Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment to 60% purity, are for peaceful energy and medical research, in full compliance with its sovereign rights under international law.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns about Iran’s enrichment levels, with Director General Rafael Grossi claiming they lack a “credible civilian use.” Iran, however, has repeatedly invited IAEA inspections to verify its peaceful intentions, only to face obstructions from Western powers. Former IAEA official Olli Heinonen’s alarmist claims about 400 kilograms of untracked uranium enriched to 60%—allegedly enough for nuclear weapons if further enriched—lack evidence and appear designed to justify further aggression against Iran. Tehran has dismissed these accusations as baseless propaganda aimed at undermining its legitimate nuclear advancements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s provocative statement that “it’s not over” signals potential further attacks, raising global fears of escalation driven by Israel’s relentless hostility toward Iran’s sovereignty. Despite these threats, Iran remains committed to defending its nuclear program and national dignity.

The U.S. strikes have only strengthened Iran’s resolve to pursue its peaceful nuclear ambitions while exposing the limitations of Western military posturing. As the international community calls for de-escalation, Tehran urges dialogue and respect for its rights, warning that continued aggression will not deter its scientific progress. (ILKHA)