U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed claims that Iran relocated its stockpile of enriched uranium prior to recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Speaking at a news briefing on Thursday, Hegseth asserted that there is no intelligence to support allegations that Tehran moved nuclear materials to shield them from the attacks.
“I’m not aware of any intelligence that I’ve reviewed that says things were not where they were supposed to be, moved or otherwise,” Hegseth stated, addressing speculation that Iran may have hidden uranium and other nuclear components at undisclosed locations.
Following the U.S. strikes over the weekend, experts had suggested that Iran likely transferred a stockpile of near weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium out of the Fordow nuclear facility before the attack early Sunday morning. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showed what was described as “unusual activity” at Fordow on Thursday and Friday, including a long line of vehicles outside the facility’s entrance.
A senior Iranian source reportedly told Reuters that most of the near weapons-grade 60% highly enriched uranium had been moved to an undisclosed location prior to the U.S. attack. However, Hegseth refuted these claims, emphasizing that the intelligence he reviewed did not indicate any such movements.
Hegseth also accused the media of downplaying the effectiveness of the U.S. strikes. He responded to a leaked preliminary assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency suggesting that the attacks may have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. Labeling the assessment as “low confidence,” Hegseth cited CIA Director John Ratcliffe, asserting that more recent intelligence indicates Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been severely damaged.
“The latest intelligence shows that Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly disrupted and will take years to rebuild,” Hegseth said, underscoring the impact of the U.S. actions.
The developments come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The U.S. has maintained that it will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
