Key Portions Of Iran’s Nuclear Supply Chain Remain Intact Despite US Claims Of Damage: Report

Last Updated:May 06, 2026, 09:07 IST

A CNN investigation has reported that key elements of Iran’s nuclear supply chain remain intact despite recent US-Israeli strikes.

Image shows Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility site (AFP)

A new investigation by CNN has suggested that key parts of Iran’s nuclear supply chain may still be operational despite repeated claims by the United States and Israel that Tehran’s nuclear capabilities were severely degraded during recent military operations.

According to the publication’s video investigation, analysts reviewed dozens of sites across Iran connected to the country’s nuclear infrastructure and concluded that while parts of the production chain were “substantially damaged,” some of the most critical components, including stores of highly enriched uranium, may not have been touched at all.

The report referred to a university in central Tehran, identified by the US and Israel as one of the earliest stages in Iran’s nuclear supply chain, and mentioned that it was struck during the mid-March US-Israeli campaign.

The institution has reportedly been under US sanctions since 2012 over allegations linked to weapons of mass destruction research and development.

However, the report said the broader supply chain was not fully dismantled.

CNN stated that imagery analysis showed no visible damage at the Saghand Uranium Mine, where uranium ore is extracted.

The report noted that satellite imagery even showed “diggers operating at the site,” indicating mining activities may still be ongoing.

CNN further reported that uranium processing facilities in Ardakan, where uranium ore is converted into yellowcake, were “substantially damaged” in strikes conducted on March 27.

Yet, imagery taken in subsequent weeks reportedly suggested reconstruction efforts had not yet begun.

ISFAHAN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS AT CENTRE OF CONCERN

According to CNN, the Isfahan nuclear complex has emerged as a major concern for US and Israeli officials because of suspicions that large quantities of enriched uranium may still be stored underground there.

The report cited imagery first highlighted by French publication Le Monde, which allegedly showed trucks carrying blue containers into tunnel systems shortly before Israeli strikes.

CNN said experts believed the containers were likely transporting uranium.

While several surface buildings were reportedly destroyed in later attacks, the report mentioned that the underground tunnel entrances themselves were not targeted in the latest round of strikes.

CNN also reported that Iran later covered several tunnel entrances with earth and subsequently erected roadblocks at access points in April, moves that experts suggested could indicate “there still remains something valuable down there.”

Speaking to CNN, nuclear expert David Albright said the uranium stockpile stored at Isfahan represented “a big risk.”

“That’s quite a bit of money in the bank,” Albright told CNN.

“The amount of enriched uranium they have produced was equivalent to a full year’s production of their entire enrichment complex, and is believed to be mostly, almost all of it, at Isfahan.”

ANOTHER REPORT SAYS US INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES REMAIN UNCHANGED

Separately, a May 4 report by Reuters said US intelligence assessments indicate the estimated time Iran would need to build a nuclear weapon has remained largely unchanged since last summer, despite months of military conflict and repeated strikes on Iranian facilities.

Reuters, citing sources familiar with US intelligence assessments, reported that analysts believe Iran could still potentially build a nuclear weapon within roughly nine months to a year following the strikes on the Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear complexes.

The report said the unchanged assessment suggests that fully impeding Iran’s nuclear ambitions may require either destroying or removing Tehran’s remaining stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

According to Reuters, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been unable to verify the location of roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, with approximately half believed to be stored in underground tunnel complexes at the Isfahan Nuclear Research Centre.

The report also quoted White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales as saying, “While Operation Midnight Hammer obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, Operation Epic Fury built on this success by decimating Iran’s defence industrial base that they once leveraged as a protective shield around their pursuit of a nuclear weapon.”

“Trump has long been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and he does not bluff,” she added.

Reuters further reported that experts believe Iran’s nuclear material may now be stored in “deeply buried underground sites where US munitions can’t penetrate.”

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