Iran Vows to Rebuild Nuclear Sites Amid Western Airstrikes
Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and not aimed at developing nuclear weapons, Masoud Pezeshkian has said. The country will rebuild nuclear facilities targeted in US and Israeli strikes earlier this year. President Pezeshkian emphasized that while nuclear technology has destructive potential, only a fraction of its applications relate to weapons. Most of the technology serves medicine, agriculture, and industry.
The airstrikes, conducted in June 2025, targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, causing significant damage. The United States and Israel described the strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from advancing toward nuclear weapon development. Despite the destruction, Pezeshkian asserted that rebuilding these sites is a matter of national pride and scientific development, stating, ‘The scientific knowledge is in the minds of our scientists. Destroying buildings and factories will not create a problem for us—we will rebuild, and with greater strength.’
International scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities has intensified, with Western nations long accusing Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear bomb. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, which is far below the 90% needed for weapons. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi also noted that there is no evidence Iran is developing nuclear weapons, emphasizing that enriched uranium alone does not constitute a weapon.
Efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal have stalled since the strikes. Iran has restricted Western monitoring of its nuclear sites, demanding guarantees before resuming negotiations. Meanwhile, Iran has announced plans to construct eight new nuclear power plants in collaboration with Russia, aiming to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity by 2041. This initiative highlights Iran’s focus on expanding its energy capacity through peaceful nuclear technology.