The agency reported on Thursday that, according to Israeli intelligence, Iran failed to relocate enriched uranium from its Fordo Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities prior to the coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States during Operation Rising Lion in June.

The assessment highlights that while the uranium at Isfahan remains potentially accessible, Iran faces significant obstacles in retrieving it under current conditions.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to address concerns regarding Iran. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "During the visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a professional meeting with Secretary Hegseth and his team, addressing key security issues – including countering the Iranian threat, regional security cooperation, and strengthening the strategic ties between Israel and the United States."

The US Department of Defense said, "Secretary Hegseth expressed appreciation for the brave US soldiers who carried out the operation in Iran, which ended the 12-day war and fulfilled President Trump's vision of peace through strength." Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the United States' commitment under President Trump to back Israel and block Iran's path to nuclear weapons.

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When they met on Monday and Tuesday, Trump and Netanyahu basked in the glow of their triumph over Iran. But the show of unity masked a divergence over their endgames in Iran, Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Both leaders have touted the success of last month's strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, declaring they had set back a program they say aims at acquiring a nuclear bomb.

Yet, with intelligence assessments suggesting that Iran retains a hidden stockpile of enriched uranium and the technical capacity to rebuild, both Trump and Netanyahu know that their victory is more short-term than strategic, two diplomats say.

Where they diverge is on how to further pressure Iran, the diplomats said. Trump says his priority is to lean on diplomacy, pursuing a limited objective of ensuring Iran never develops a nuclear weapon – a goal Tehran has always denied pursuing.

In contrast, Netanyahu wants to use more force, a source familiar with the Israeli leader's thinking said, compelling Tehran – to the point of government collapse if necessary – into fundamental concessions on quitting a nuclear enrichment program seen by Israel as an existential threat.

The divide over Iran echoes the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Trump, eager to cast himself as a global peacemaker, is pushing for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territory, but the contours of any post-war deal remain undefined and the endgame uncertain.

Netanyahu, while publicly endorsing ceasefire talks, says he is committed to the total dismantling of Hamas, a strategic ally of Iran. The Israeli prime minister wants the remaining Hamas leadership deported, possibly to Algeria – a demand Hamas flatly rejects. The gap between a temporary pause and a lasting resolution remains wide, two Middle East officials say.

On Iran, Netanyahu was displeased to see Washington revive nuclear talks with Tehran expected in Norway this week, the first diplomatic overture since the strikes, said the person familiar with his thinking. He opposes any move that could give the Iranian authorities an economic and political lifeline.

The Libya Model

Netanyahu wants nothing less than the Libya model for Iran, the source said. That means Iran fully dismantling its nuclear and missile facilities under strict oversight, and renouncing uranium enrichment on its soil even for civilian needs.

Israel is seeking not diplomacy but regime change, Western and regional officials have said. And Netanyahu knows he needs at least a green light from the White House – if not direct backing – to carry out further operations if Tehran refuses to relinquish its nuclear ambitions, they said.

But Trump has different objectives, the diplomats said. After the June strikes, he sees an opportunity to press Iran to cut a deal and seize a grand diplomatic feat of restoring ties with Iran that has long eluded him, the diplomats said.

On Monday, Trump said he would like to lift sanctions on Iran at some point. And in an eye-catching post on X suggesting Tehran sees economic ties as a potential element in any deal, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei believed American investors can come to Iran with "no obstacles to their activities."

Iranian rulers, however, face two unpalatable options – renewed strikes if they do not surrender their nuclear ambitions and humiliation at home if they do. That means they may try to make talks drag out, unwilling to fully quit their nuclear project and presenting a difficulty for a president impatient for a deal and its economic benefits for the US, Western and regional officials say.

For Israel, the fallback option is clear, the person familiar with Netanyahu's thinking said – a policy of sustained containment through periodic strikes to prevent any nuclear resurgence. In the wake of its air war against Iran, Israel has reasserted itself as the region's unrivaled military power, more willing than ever to use force and more capable of doing so with precision and relative impunity.

Washington, meanwhile, is hedging its bets. While Israeli and US hawks still hope for regime change in Tehran, Trump appears unwilling to shoulder the huge military, political and economic costs that such a project would demand.

Trump rapidly claimed victory after the US attack. And while he has said he would consider bombing Iran again if it continued to enrich uranium to worrisome levels, he has portrayed the June 22 operation as a bold, surgical one-off.

No Boots on the Ground

His repeated declarations that Iran's program has been "obliterated" are less triumph than warning – don't ask for more – a signal that he's done enough and won't be drawn further in, says Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute think-tank in Washington.

For all their rhetoric, Netanyahu and his hawkish allies offer no viable blueprint or roadmap for regime change, says Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat and Farsi-speaking expert on Iran. Unlike Iraq, there are no boots on the ground and no credible opposition that could topple the ruling elite, guarded by the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The US may support Israel's military actions, even supplying advanced weaponry, but it is betting mainly on economic pressure and diplomatic leverage to force Tehran's hand. The result is a fragile standoff, with no clear endgame, the diplomats said.

Netanyahu sees a fleeting strategic opportunity, one that demands acceleration, not hesitation, the source close to him said. In his calculus, the time to strike harder is now, before Iran regains its footing, the source said.

Iran's air defenses are battered, its nuclear infrastructure weakened, its proxies decapitated and its deterrence shaken. But Tehran's window to regroup and rebuild will grow with time, says the person familiar with Netanyahu's thinking.

So for Netanyahu, this is unfinished business – strategic, existential, and far from over, the diplomats and the two Middle East officials said.

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Josh Gottheimer emphasized the urgency of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, stating, "Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror, and one of America's top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon. That's why I strongly supported our military actions earlier this month." He highlighted Iran's history of aggression against US service members and Israel, a key democratic ally, underscoring Israel's need to defend itself, as reported by New York Post.

Mike Lawler added, "This bill gives the President the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place," according to New York Post. The legislation would empower President Donald Trump to prepare Israel for potential contingencies involving Iran's nuclear program.

Last month, US B-2 bomber pilots conducted a significant operation, deploying 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on three Iranian nuclear sites. President Trump claimed the strikes "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, with the bombs penetrating up to 200 feet underground. Israel also participated in the attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's chair, Rafael Grossi, confirmed to Radio France Internationale on Wednesday that centrifuges at Iran's Fordow nuclear site are no longer operational following the strikes. However, Grossi warned on CBS last week that Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months, stating, "The capacities they have are there. They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that."

Grossi further noted, "It is clear that there has been severe damage, but it's not total damage. Iran has the capacities there; industrial and technological capacities. So if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again." Despite rumors that Iran may have relocated enriched uranium before the strikes, US officials have denied these claims.

Currently, the US operates 19 B-2 stealth bombers, the only aircraft capable of delivering the massive bunker-buster bombs, and has not previously shared them with allies.

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Strike results on Iranian nuclear facilities have ignited an open political-media confrontation across the United States. While American media outlets – alongside Democratic Party officials – question the extent of damage inflicted, the current administration maintains that Iran's nuclear program has been "destroyed."

Beyond America's domestic political warfare and presidential credibility concerns, two key motivations drive the White House determination to establish the narrative that Iran's nuclear capabilities were completely eliminated. The first serves as strategic positioning for future negotiations with Iran, essentially declaring that since Iran cannot currently enrich uranium, they shouldn't expect authorization for such activities under any new agreement. The second motivation, potentially more troubling, reflects White House reluctance to continue addressing this complex issue.

What does ground reality reveal? The sobering premise for this analysis must acknowledge that definitive conclusions remain premature, and generally speaking – these matters involve far more classified than public information. However, research institute satellite imagery analysis enables identification of substantial damage across core elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure including the expansive enrichment industry covering Natanz and Fordo facilities plus centrifuge manufacturing capabilities; the scientists, installations and knowledge repositories comprising the "weapons group"; and Isfahan's conversion and processing installations, representing crucial bottlenecks in the nuclear fuel cycle. Nevertheless, the whereabouts of over 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium – quantities theoretically sufficient for ten nuclear weapons following additional enrichment – remains unknown.

"Months until resumed production"

Rafael Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency director-general, stated during this week's interview that Iran could "within several months" restart enriched uranium production. Anyone dismayed by this assessment overlooks the massive scope of Iran's pre-strike nuclear infrastructure encompassing complete production chain mastery from uranium mining through multi-stage enrichment processes – plus advancement in explosive device development. This represents extensive industrial capacity and profound, autonomous expertise cultivated across multiple decades.

The Institute for Science and International Security, headed by Iranian nuclear expert David Albright, released comprehensive post-conflict damage assessments based on satellite imagery analysis. This report, consistent with IAEA findings and substantially supporting Israeli intelligence assessments, demonstrates significant infrastructure damage.

At Natanz, housing approximately 18,000 centrifuges and serving as Iran's enrichment headquarters, widespread destruction is evident. Surface structures sustained damage during Israel's initial attacks, including facilities producing 60%-grade highly enriched uranium. The IAEA similarly concluded that centrifuges within underground enrichment chambers suffered damage or destruction from electrical grid disruption. Subsequent American bombardments reportedly struck these underground chambers directly.

Concerning Fordo, the heavily fortified installation featuring roughly 2,700 centrifuges that dominated headlines since hostilities commenced, the Institute for Science and International Security concludes the "facility likely sustained severe damage or destruction," though American media suggests more limited impact. Recent satellite photography reveals intensive Iranian engineering operations around blast craters, including heavy machinery and material transport equipment, apparently attempting to penetrate the underground complex for damage assessment purposes.

Isfahan's uranium processing facilities, constituting critical "chokepoints" between civilian and weapons programs, saw destruction of metallic uranium production buildings – essential links converting enriched gas into bomb cores. Infrastructure converting processed uranium ("yellowcake") into gas supplied to centrifuges also sustained damage. The IAEA confirmed "extensive destruction," including storage buildings previously housing 20% and 60%-enriched uranium, though material quantities present during bombardment remain unclear.

Regarding the weapons development group, representing Iran's most classified nuclear activities, Israeli operations eliminated over 14 nuclear scientists directly engaged in this work. Several individuals, including Freidoun Abbasi and Mohammad Tehranji, appeared on Tehran memorial billboards recently and received state funeral honors alongside regime leadership.

"They preserved this capability as organizational infrastructure for two decades," explains Avner Vilan, specialist in Iran's nuclear program, "but claiming no capable 30-year-old exists in Iran who could replicate this work? I'm certain such individuals exist." Furthermore, Villen expresses concern, stating he "wouldn't be surprised if another weapons group we never identified was operating parallel programs unknown to us."

Protecting gains

The critical question involves uranium stockpiles enriched to 60% – exceeding 400 kg, which Iran announced on the conflict's opening day they had secured through "protective measures." American officials claim this material lies "buried beneath debris" or "wasn't targeted during strikes." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alluded to "compelling intelligence" regarding stockpile locations, while IDF officials decline to deny possessing such information.

Iran's industrial nuclear program undoubtedly sustained severe damage, potentially requiring years for reconstruction as Washington and Jerusalem officials describe. However, Iran's nuclear weapons potential doesn't depend exclusively on large-scale industrial infrastructure but could emerge from smaller enrichment capabilities, metallic conversion facilities, and previous advancement – possibly concealed – in explosive device engineering.

"They observe what befell Kim Jong Un and Muammar Qaddafi's fate," Vilan explains regarding Iran's renewed nuclear motivation. "Unquestionably, Iran currently possesses extremely strong incentives for acquiring nuclear weapons and will accept significantly greater risks pursuing this objective." According to his analysis, recent strikes eliminated the regime's dual defensive layers – proxy forces and missile arsenals – "essentially leaving only nuclear capabilities as their insurance policy."

Vilan cautions about the primary threat, warning that "unless we force the regime into submission, their likelihood of developing nuclear weapons increased rather than decreased following these strikes." Essentially, Israel may confront another critical juncture resembling pre-strike circumstances. This doesn't invalidate the operation's necessity or necessarily diminish its accomplishments, but indicates Israel now faces requirements to consolidate its strategic objectives.

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The classified DIA analysis examined Pentagon bomb damage evaluations from strikes targeting nuclear complexes at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which utilized earth-penetrating ordnance delivered by B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, The Washington Post reported. The assessment determined that the bombardment failed to eliminate fundamental elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure and likely delayed the program by months rather than years, one source disclosed.

Intelligence findings also suggest Iran relocated several quantities of its highly enriched uranium away from nuclear installations prior to the strikes, leaving uranium reserves unaffected, the individual stated, speaking anonymously to discuss classified intelligence information, according to The Washington Post. A second person familiar with the preliminary DIA evaluation – designated as "low confidence" – confirmed it determined some Iranian centrifuges used for uranium enrichment that could potentially be weaponized remained undamaged.

Trump has repeatedly declared the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear enrichment complexes achieved complete success. "The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it," he posted on social media Monday following the reports on the only-partial damage to the sites. Reports of the classified intelligence evaluation emerged as a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by Trump and Qatari leadership, remained fragile but intact.

On Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin announced the start of a ceasefire with Iran following the achievement of Operation Rising Lion's objectives. "Yesterday, a ceasefire with Iran began after all goals were met," Defrin said. "This operation was planned over years. Recognizing we faced a point of no return, we accelerated our plans. We achieved significant operational successes – all actions were executed with synchronization across all branches and divisions."

Defrin added, "It is too early to fully assess the operation's achievements, which will be discussed for years to come. Even at this moment, we maintain high alertness. Our missions are not complete, and we will continue to act for our future." He stressed that Iran's nuclear program, according to Israeli assessments, "has been set back for years."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian both recognized the ceasefire agreement and declared victory in the 12-day conflict. Prior to the truce, Iran launched missiles at the substantial US air installation in Qatar, claiming retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear facilities, with no reported casualties.

CNN initially disclosed the Defense Intelligence Agency assessment Tuesday morning. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt challenged the report's findings while not disputing its existence. "This alleged 'assessment' is flat-out wrong and was classified as 'top secret' but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community," Leavitt posted on X.

"The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear program," she continued. "Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration."

Nuclear nonproliferation specialists and weapons experts have consistently maintained that eliminating Iran's decades-old atomic infrastructure through aerial bombardment alone would prove virtually impossible. Israel also struck numerous components of Iran's nuclear program, including installations at Natanz and Isfahan, during attacks initiated June 13.

The Trump administration arranged and subsequently delayed Iran briefings for House members Tuesday. Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat from Illinois serving on the House Intelligence Committee, told The Washington Post widespread congressional belief exists that embarrassing assessment content prompted the Trump administration's decision to postpone the classified briefing. "They don't delay briefings that have good news," Quigley explained.

Quigley refused to discuss classified briefing content he received earlier this week but noted years of intelligence official warnings that aerial attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities would lack lasting impact. "I've been briefed on the likelihoods of how this would play out for years, and I was always told you have to finish the job with troops on the ground," he stated. "Nothing has changed my mind on that."

The DIA report, a Pentagon division, represents likely just one among numerous ongoing US intelligence evaluations of American airstrike damage. A senior administration official cautioned that battle damage assessments remain incomplete and other reports may reach different conclusions, according to The Washington Post.

The strikes inflicted enormous damage and Iran will be unable to reconstitute its nuclear program in the near future, the official stated. The Fordow installation particularly sustained devastating impact and will remain unusable for an extended period, the official added. Fordow houses Iran's most deeply buried facility containing chambers of rapidly spinning centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

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The operation – hailed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a "spectacular success" – could reshape the Middle East, reducing hostile forces and, with hope, leaving Iran without nuclear arms or significant missile stockpiles.

It remains unclear whether Trump's recent public wavering on attacking Iran was sincere or a strategic ruse. What is undeniable is the complete alignment between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their unified diplomatic stance is mirrored by flawless coordination among top military officials.

The US role is a game-changer. The B-2 bombers, which Israel does not possess, delivered a devastating blow to the heavily fortified Fordo site, a feat beyond Israel's aerial capabilities. Only the US had the heavy ordnance needed to demolish such a nuclear stronghold.

Furthermore, the US strikes will likely accelerate the end of the Israel-Iran conflict. Within days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are expected to inform political leaders that they have fulfilled their objectives, striking all planned targets since Operation Rising Lion began. The US involvement also transforms the conflict into a global issue, amplifying Israel's long-standing efforts to highlight Iran's threat on the world stage.

Military force alone cannot end this war; a US-led diplomatic push for a nuclear deal is critical. Trump, in his speeches, justifiably calls for the absolute surrender of Iran's regime, seeking to enforce peace through overwhelming strength.

Iran's next move is unclear, as the regime likely deliberates its response. On Sunday morning, it fired two missile salvos at Israel – first 25 missiles, then another five – hitting areas near Ness Ziona, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Israel's disciplined civilian response limited casualties to one person moderately injured and others with minor wounds, despite extensive property damage.

So far, Iran has refrained from attacking US assets in the region. The full extent of damage to Iran's nuclear sites is under evaluation, and the world awaits Tehran's reaction, which may force a choice between nuclear ambitions and regime survival.

For Israel, Operation Rising Lion – peaking with the US strike on Fordo – is the high point of a war that began with the shock of October 7, 2023, when Israel was caught unprepared. Now, Israel has significantly restored its deterrence, neutralizing numerous threats – from Hezbollah in the north, Hamas in the south, to Iran in the east.

Without Yahya Sinwar's brutal October 7 attack, Israel's strategic posture might not have evolved. That assault enabled Israel to neutralize Hezbollah and muster the courage for a preemptive strike on Iran, potentially eliminating an existential threat.

Should the US and Israel soon declare victory over Iran, Israel's focus will turn to Gaza, where 50 hostages, including one woman's remains, are still held by Hamas. With Iran's influence diminished, some in Israel believe Hamas may soften its stance in talks, enabling Israel to negotiate from strength to secure the release of 20 living hostages and the remains of 30 others.

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"A short time ago, in full coordination between myself and President Trump, and in full operational coordination between the Israel Defense Forces and the United States military, the United States attacked Iran's three nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan," Netanyahu announced. According to the prime minister, the United States continued "with greater intensity and tremendous force" the IDF and Mossad strikes on Iran's nuclear program.

Netanyahu revealed that immediately after completing the operation, President Trump called him for a "very warm, very moving" conversation. "He blessed me, he blessed our military and he blessed our people. And I blessed him, the United States pilots and the American people," the prime minister recounted.

The prime minister defined the American president as "courageously leading the free world" and "a tremendous friend of Israel, a friend like no other." "In my name and on behalf of all Israeli citizens, on behalf of the entire Jewish people, I thank him from the depths of my heart," Netanyahu added.

Video: Netanyahu's video message in English / Credit: PMO

According to the prime minister, Iran's nuclear program "threatened our very existence and also endangered world peace." He emphasized that Operation Rising Lion achieved "unprecedented accomplishments in Israel's history."

Netanyahu concluded his remarks with the message "We stand together, we fight together, and with God's help – we win together," and quoted from the weekly Torah portion – "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).

In a separate video message in English, Netanyahu delivered a triumphant and deeply grateful message to US President Donald Trump, hailing the American-led bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities as a "bold decision that will change history."

The address came just hours after initial reports of a massive, targeted military operation against key Iranian nuclear sites, an action Netanyahu attributed directly to the "awesome and righteous might of the United States."

"Congratulations President Trump," Netanyahu began, speaking with clear conviction. "Your bold decision... will change history."

The Israeli leader, who has for decades warned of the existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, framed the American military strike as a monumental turning point for global security. He praised President Trump's leadership in a way that he said even surpassed Israel's own celebrated covert operations.

"In tonight's action against Iran's nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed," Netanyahu stated. "It has done what no other country on earth could do."

Throughout the speech, Netanyahu repeatedly justified the strike, casting it as a necessary act to disarm a malevolent force. "History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons," he declared, his voice rising with emphasis.

The address positioned the dramatic military action as the ultimate fulfillment of the "peace through strength" doctrine, a philosophy Netanyahu noted he and President Trump often discuss.

Video: President Donald Trump announces the strike on Iran on June 22, 2025 / Credit: White House

"First comes strength, then comes peace," he said, before adding, "And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength."

The prime minister's remarks represent the culmination of years of Israeli lobbying and intelligence-sharing aimed at convincing the world, and particularly the United States, to take decisive action against Tehran's nuclear ambitions. For Netanyahu, the night's events were a profound validation of his long-held stance.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister offered a sweeping message of thanks that encompassed not only the leaders but the people of both nations and the broader cause of global order.

"President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you. The forces of civilization thank you," he said. "God bless America, God bless Israel, and may God bless our unshakable alliance, our unbreakable faith."

The speech leaves no doubt about the Israeli government's full-throated support for the U.S. action, positioning the two allies as lockstep partners in what Netanyahu has defined as a pivotal moment in the history of the Middle East.

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Two days ago, Israel Hayom revealed these conditions, which include Iran's agreement to halt all uranium enrichment on its soil, the destruction of all nuclear facilities not related to civilian purposes – including Fordow – and all centrifuge facilities, as well as strict and continuous oversight of any remaining facilities. The ultimatum reportedly comes with a deadline of just a few days, with a warning that if Iran does not comply, the United States will continue to support Israel and ensure the destruction of these facilities, particularly Fordow.

Israel is pushing for additional conditions to address Iran's ballistic missile systems and its support for terrorist organizations outside its borders. It remains unclear whether these will be included. According to an Israeli official, the Israeli Air Force is currently engaged in intensive strikes targeting Iran's ballistic missile systems, nuclear facilities, and regime infrastructure, with these operations expected to reach their peak in the coming days. Regarding the Fordow facility – the most significant challenge – it is still uncertain how the underground site, where critical bomb components are stored, will be neutralized.

President Trump is expected to decide whether to join Israel in an attack on Iran, particularly targeting Fordow, where B52 bombers and bunker-busting bombs would be used to destroy the facility. Opponents in the United States are primarily concerned about potential retaliatory attacks on oil fields and facilities in neighboring Persian Gulf states, such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Leaks in the American media from these opponents have suggested that Iran was not actually close to developing a nuclear bomb and included a warning to Israel about depleting stocks of Arrow missiles. Both claims are far from reality.

Security officials state that, due to significant damage to Iran's missile launchers, Israel's missile inventory remains sufficient for many more days of fighting, with replenishment occurring at a rapid pace. Regarding Iran's military nuclear program, Israel Hayom reported that the Mossad and Britain's MI6 have confirmed that Iran has made rapid strides in recent months toward completing the trigger and mechanism needed for a nuclear bomb.

An American official noted that, alongside the ultimatum, military preparations continue – both for defensive and potential offensive actions. The official emphasized that the primary task is protecting American facilities and interests in the region, including ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to close. A significant portion of the world's oil supply passes through this strait. The official added that other Western and Middle Eastern countries are involved in these efforts.

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"Our colleagues had purchased a centrifuge platform for the Atomic Energy Organization, and it was discovered that explosives had been embedded inside it, which they managed to detect," Zarif said, according to Iran International.

The timeline of the alleged incident remains unclear, Iran International reported. The revelation follows a series of security incidents targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, including a power failure at the Natanz uranium enrichment site in April 2021.

According to Iran International, Zarif detailed how international sanctions have forced Iran and its allies to rely on intermediaries for equipment purchases, creating security vulnerabilities. "Instead of being able to order equipment directly from the manufacturer, sanctions force you to rely on multiple intermediaries for such purchases," Zarif said, according to the report.

"If the Zionist regime infiltrates even one of the intermediaries, they can do anything and embed anything they want, which is exactly what happened," Zarif said, Iran International reported.

The Iranian official linked these vulnerabilities to a series of explosions in Hezbollah's communication devices in September 2024, the report said. According to Iran International, these incidents resulted in 32 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries when approximately 5,000 pagers and 1,000 walkie-talkies detonated.

In response to these incidents, Iran International reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suspended the use of communication devices and initiated inspections. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization implemented a ban on electronic communication devices, including mobile phones, on commercial flights.

"These are, in fact, some of the damages caused by sanctions, which have made circumventing them a necessity for us," Zarif said, according to Iran International. "In addition to financial losses, there have also been significant security risks."

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When visiting Riyadh, I went to a local bazaar that has an outdoor flea market. One of the vendors, who had his children with him, was selling plastic bead necklaces and I was interested in a red one.

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"It's 100 riyals," he tells me, and I immediately reply that it is too pricey.

"Other shops carry these for 400," he replies in an attempt to persuade me and asks me where I'm from.

"From Israel," I say as he looks at me in amazement.

"From where? Israel? I cannot believe it!" he says as if he has just witnessed a miracle. He bursts out laughing, and says, "Israel is good. It will be good, God willing."

Despite the hefty price, I decide to buy the necklace. I ask the vendor his name and he says it's Abdulaziz, just like the first king of Saudi Arabia – Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud – the father of the kingdom's current leader King Salman, and grandfather of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Video: Ronaldo collects hat trick, Mane adds two more as Nassr rolls over Fateh / Credit: Reuters

This is the first time Abdulaziz meets an Israeli because even if others visited Saudi Arabia in the past they did not present themselves as such. But there is no reason to hide one's Israeli identity in Saudi Arabia as the nation is very welcoming and hospitable, a characteristic that remains despite other rapid changes.

And the changes have been very rapid indeed as I visited Riyadh a mere year ago. Nevertheless, I need to remember that it is still Saudi Arabia – a very conservative and religious country. They solved the dilemma of whether and how to address female staff in shops themselves. They are cheerful and most speak English fairly well and are eager to help. Lots of them wear hijabs with only their eyes and mouth visible, but many also keep their faces uncovered.

This time around I also visit the port city of Jeddah, where I come across a young female entrepreneur standing at the entrance of a store. It turns out she is an artist and the shop will only open next month as it is undergoing renovations along with the rest of the district.

The area is impressive and reminds one of Morocco's mellahs. It is an old district, densely built with centuries-old homes made of stone and sand that have been abandoned for generations. But like everything else in Saudi Arabia, this district too is changing.

The young entrepreneur says she is a local, but spent several years in the United States, which is why her English is fluent. There are others in the store as well, fellow artists, each with his or her own aspirations and dreams. And that is what is different about Saudi Arabia: now they can dream in color.

The Jeddah municipality must realize that this is a bustling artists' quarter that would draw many tourists. But it will take time because Saudi Arabia is not the most tourist-friendly country. There aren't many attractions and it is quite difficult to get around.

Most tourists in Jeddah are pilgrims who mostly pass by on their way to the Hajj in Mecca. Those who do come to Jeddah as their destination are mainly businessmen and diplomats.

There is almost no public transportation in Saudi Arabia. There are few buses, mainly from the suburbs, for the poorest population. In a country where vehicles are cheap and fuel is even cheaper, everyone has a car. As such, there are almost no sidewalks and everything is adapted to cars, which also means that the only way for visitors to get around is by renting a car or taxiing.

There are three types of taxis: Uber, white taxis, and green taxis.

Uber works the same way it does in the rest of the world. White taxis can be flagged down in the street; they have no meter and the price is agreed upon in the beginning and can be bargained. Green taxis are public ones; they too can be flagged down in the street and the driver puts on the meter if requested.

The rides are cheap because gas is cheap, but one problem is that the drivers barely speak English. Most of them are foreign workers from Southeast Asia and ask you to put in your destination on your phone and keep your device until the end of the ride. The first time this happened, I was surprised; The second time I understood that it was how they worked. By the way, during the entire journey they talk on their phones, endless conversations that make them even less attentive.

Both Riyadh and Jeddah are large cities, so getting anywhere takes about 20-30 minutes. The cities are built horizontally, with no towers and everyone living in houses, which takes up a lot of space.

Riyadh drivers seem more careful, perhaps because the city is full of speed enforcement cameras, while Jeddah drivers are wild, which is why the municipality built speed bumps every dozen meters.

Traveling from one city to the other takes a while too. Jeddah, despite its proximity to Mecca, is more laid back. It is a port city with quite a few sites scattered along the shores of the Red Sea, from the 30-kilometer promenade and the King Fahd's Fountain to the magnificent Al-Rahmah Mosque on the water, which is visited by Saudis of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

The weather is completely different in each city as well. Jeddah is like Tel Aviv, only way hotter and more humid, and Riyadh is like Beersheba, only dryer and more arid.

Both cities are most active at night as markets close at noon due to the heat and people only go outside after sunset. Restaurant and shop hours are the same and all malls and markets are open until 11:30 p.m.

What stands out to me in both cities is the quiet. The adults speak quietly, the children cry quietly, and there is no loud music. The only loud sound is the muezzin call to prayer: all worship is heard over loudspeakers throughout the cities.

Due to the heavy heat, most people spend their days indoors. There is a mall on every corner, and every shopping center has the best local and Western stores.

But as Saudi men wear white robes and women wear black hijabs, one cannot help but wonder who buys all these other clothes and where and when are they worn. Perhaps at home, away from the onlookers, there is a hidden world filled with the latest fashion items, makeup, and perfumes.

Starbucks has countless branches in Saudi Arabia, as do Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's. Prices are incredibly cheap, certainly compared to Israel, with a Big Mac combo meal costing only 22 riyals (22 shekels or just under six dollars).

Contrary to perhaps the rest of the world, the preferred soft drink of choice here is Pepsi, a result of the boycott of Coca-Cola in the 1960s for conducting business with Israel. The price of Pepsi is three riyals and water can be found as cheap as 1 riyal.

Prices in restaurants are higher, although still significantly lower than in Israel. Local cuisine is excellent – a mixture of Bedouin food with Arabic and Indian influence.

Khayal served delicious salads for appetizers and a bread basket that the waiter kept refilling "so that the bread stays warm" (the main course - skewers – were so-so) and the Najd Village in Riyadh had the finest lamb maqluba.

Najd Village is particularly popular among expats but locals as well, including women. They even have special private areas for women where they can eat and remove their face covering comfortably.

At a local coffee shop, I come across a picture that represents modern Saudi Arabia: a group of men enjoying coffee and next to them their wives enjoying their beverages separately. They are no longer at home, but not yet together either.

And then there are the movie theaters. All films can be viewed in the original or Arabic dubbing. And if there is proof that Saudi Arabia is progressing it is perhaps the fact that the most popular movie shown during my visit to the country is "Barbie." "Oppenheimer" too is screened, coincidentally as Saudi Arabia is seeking a civilian nuclear program.

As Israel and Saudi Arabia do not officially have ties, there is also no communication between the two countries, which means that Israeli SIM cards do not work here. For me to stay in touch with those back home, I needed to buy a different SIM card. I purchased it at the airport, which was much cheaper than in Israel. Some Whatsapp features were restricted, but I received unlimited data and 100 minutes of local calls.

When buying a SIM card in Saudi Arabia, one needs to provide lots of personal information, including passport and visa number. This is how authorities easily and conveniently track people's movements.

Because Saudi Arabia is much larger than its neighbors, not all locals are wealthy. In fact, the opposite is true: the minority possess the riches while the majority struggle.

This is one of the challenges of MBS who leads a nation whose older generation is conservative and religious and younger generation is progressive and Western.

MBS is very determined to move forward and has the ambitious plan to make Saudi Arabia a leader in every field by 2030.

A good example of this is soccer. After Qatar successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia also wants on board, and then some. The government has already allocated billions to bring the world's best here and to create a winning league.

Christiano Ronaldo was the first. When he arrived in Saudi Arabia after the World Cup, he was ridiculed, but six months later Jedah's Al Ittihad already includes Karim Benzema and Fabinho and N'golo Kante, and rival Al-Ahli – Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessié, Édouard Mendy and Allan Saint-Maximin. And Riyadh is not far behind.

Ronaldo was joined by Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mané, and Marcelo Brozović at Al Nassr, and across the road, at Al-Hilal, Rúben Neves, Souleymane Coulibaly, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Aleksandar Mitrović, and the latest and most flamboyant acquisition – Brazil's Neymar - are playing.

For those unfamiliar, these are soccer superstars, who could have played a few more seasons for the best leagues of Europe, but came to Saudi Arabia because of the cha-ching.

But in general, when it comes to money matters, Saudi Arabia is humble. Unlike the United Arab Emirates or Qatar, there are no luxury cars here, and people don't flaunt their wealth. Class solidarity actually stands out, especially in mosques where the rich and the poor pray together.

Despite no official ties, Israel and Saudi Arabia do interact behind the scenes, especially in trade. Quite a few representatives of Israeli companies (with foreign passports) come to Riyadh to cooperate in the fields of technology, agriculture, and security – all with the blessing of authorities.

Saudi Arabia has a vested interest in Israel, mainly related to dividends. High-tech is one such priority, given Riyahd's 2030 vision, as are artificial intelligence and cyber.

At the same time, the Saudis want Israel to serve as a bridge to the United States in order to soften the ambitious list of demands they set for the Biden administration as a condition for a regional mega-deal.

It's unclear to what extent Israel is an effective bridge to Washington, considering the current state of affairs between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government. And yet, one shouldn't take lightly the power it holds as it wants to torpedo the deal due to controversial demands, such as a civil nuclear program for Saudi Arabia that will include uranium enrichment on the kingdom's soil.

Such a program, which could easily be converted into a military nuclear one (Iran too claims that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes), goes against American and Israeli principles, particularly the Begin Doctrine, under which Jerusalem will not allow any country in the region to develop nuclear capabilities. The Biden administration, in turn, is desperate for an international achievement ahead of the presidential elections next year, which is why it is pushing for such a deal.

Saudi Arabia has recently been visited by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the details of the pact that would also include a dramatic upgrade of Riyadh's military and security capabilities as well as NATO-like security guarantees from Washington.
When Biden first took office almost three years ago, he never would have thought of seeking Saudi favor. MBS was a persona non grata, mainly due to the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who opposed the Saudi rulers, in 2018.

But then came the Ukraine war that made oil prices soar, accelerating the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and China and forcing Biden to rethink his policy. He is now vigorously courting Riyadh in an attempt to revive the historic partnership between the countries.

And the two go way back. The partnership began with the support by Abdulaziz, who as mentioned above, was the first king of Saudi Arabia, of the United States and Britain during World War II. Saudi Arabia provided America with oil and in turn, received security, or at least a sense of security.

But in recent years the partnership began to come apart at the seams.

America's reduced dependence on oil, on the one hand, and its inability to deal with Iranian aggression toward Saudi Arabia, on the other, severely impacted the ties.

The Saudis were attacked by the Houthis from Yemen and humiliated by a drone and cruise missile attack on the Saudi Arabian Oil Group in 2019. Their expectation that Washington would respond and exact a heavy price from Tehran did not materialize when then-President Donald Trump decided to hold back.

The policies of the next administration only deepened the rift, which is what prompted Saudi Arabia to mitigate the risks. Riyadh began to treat Bejing, its largest trading partner, with open preferential treatment and renewed ties with Tehran.

America realized – alarmingly late – that if it didn't come to its senses, it would lose its most important Arab support in the region that was now seeking security and defense guarantees elsewhere.

"Biden is eager for a deal and is willing to go very far," a source familiar with the normalization talks said, adding that officials are working on the nuclear issue to expedite the deal.

One such solution is to establish a US-Saudi project – referred to as "nuclear Aramco" – that would give American companies a direct role in the development and oversight of nuclear power development in Saudi Arabia, but enrichment of uranium would still occur within the kingdom's borders.

And yet, those concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology, such as Israel, are unlikely to agree.

"It'll be madness," an Israeli official said, expressing concern. "A nuclear race will begin in the region, with Egypt and Turkey and others joining after Saudi Arabia."

What is more disturbing, he pointed out, is that if something were to happen to MBS, a voice of progress in Saudi Arabia, the world might find itself with an extremely religious and conservative country that now has nuclear capabilities.

Surprisingly, Israel does not automatically oppose this Saudi demand. In the limited and classified discussions that take place under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the trend is not to rule out the matter outright but "to look for solutions that will allow Israel to accept them."

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It seems that Netanyahu is eager for an agreement too and is ready to compromise, as appears from the latest interview given by his close associate, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, to US outlets.

Israeli experts are divided on the matter, with some saying the deal would benefit Israel by strengthening its position and others warning Israel should be able to defend itself on its own.

The benefit of such an agreement, however, is clear: normalization with Saudi Arabia that would create a strong and visible front against Iran and usher in a new era in the Middle East politically, technologically, economically, and security-wise.

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