Israel 'knows exactly' where the missing Uranium is but won't attack: Report
This Nov. 4, 2020, file satellite photo by Maxar Technologies shows Iran's Fordo nuclear site. Iran has told international nuclear inspectors it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility, a technical step away from weapons-grade levels, as it increases pressure on the West over its tattered atomic deal. (Maxar Technologies via AP, File)
Amid speculations regarding Iran's missing 400 kg of Uranium, a report claims that Israel "knows exactly" where Iran has kept the stockpile of enriched fuel.
Most of the enriched Uranium is "buried under the rubble in Iran", Saudi channel Al-Hadath quoted an unnamed Israeli source. Though they are aware of where the fuel is kept, Israel will not attack it to avoid causing a nuclear disaster, the source added.
"Iran's nuclear capabilities, infrastructure, facilities and centrifuges have been destroyed," he added.
The report comes as even US sources claim it was unaware of the Uranium. Israeli officials claimed that the stockpile and some equipment were moved to a secret location right before the strikes.
Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency said that inspections must be resumed to determine what exactly the extent of the damages are and what the current state of Iran's nuclear programme is.
"There needs to be a cessation of hostilities for the necessary safety and security conditions to prevail so that Iran can let IAEA teams into the sites to assess the situation," Grossi told an emergency session of the board of the United Nations watchdog on Monday. However, that door could be closed after Iran approves a bill that suspends ties with the IAEA.
The IAEA had kept meticulous track of Iran’s declared uranium inventory before the hits to ensure the material was accounted for and not being diverted for use in weapons.
Israeli Defense Forces had been monitoring possible movement of Iran's uranium stockpile according to IDF spokesperson Erin Defrin.
There are also speculations that Tehran might have moved the enriched fuel to a lesser-known and even deeper nuclear facility near Natanz at Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La or 'Pickaxe Mountain'. This facility, which is rarely talked about, is said to be even more heavily fortified than Fordow.
Middle East