Natanz

Trump threatens Iran with escalation, including strikes on civilian and nuclear infrastructure. A satellite image from US company Vantor shows a tunnel complex beneath Kolang mountain near Natanz, Iran.

The United States launched a third consecutive day of strikes against Iran, targeting its military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz to degrade attacks on commercial shipping. President Trump emphasized controlling the strait and suggested potential strikes on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz, while Iran claimed to target U.S. bases and the UAE reported two national tankers struck by Iranian missiles.

Stuxnet, a sophisticated cyberattack targeting Iran's nuclear program, manipulated industrial control systems to physically damage centrifuges at the Natanz uranium enrichment plant. The attack demonstrated the potential for malicious code to disrupt critical infrastructure, with experts warning of ongoing risks to systems like power grids and hospitals. While no group has claimed responsibility, the U.S. and Israel are widely believed to be behind the operation.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators are nearing a temporary framework agreement, but the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains unresolved. Iranian officials insist on retaining enriched uranium as a red line, while President Trump has vowed Iran 'will not have a nuclear weapon' and suggested the U.S. could 'take' the material if necessary. Experts warn that retaining uranium, particularly the 60% enriched stockpile, could allow Iran to rapidly advance toward weapons-grade enrichment.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators face unresolved questions over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, with Trump insisting Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and experts warning retained uranium could enable rapid weapons-grade enrichment. Airstrikes on nuclear facilities damaged infrastructure but left the material intact, complicating efforts to secure or neutralize it under international oversight.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators face unresolved tensions over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, with President Trump asserting the U.S. could 'take' the material if necessary. Experts warn retaining enriched uranium, particularly the 60% stockpile, risks enabling rapid advancement to weapons-grade levels, complicating efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.