Iranian authorities announced on Sunday that they plan to rebuild nuclear sites that were damaged during recent Israeli and U.S. military strikes, pledging to fortify these facilities “stronger than before.” This declaration comes as Oman, a historical mediator in the region, urged both Tehran and Washington to rekindle diplomatic discussions that have been stagnant.
In a statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the country’s nuclear organization and asserted confidence in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, suggesting that the nation’s scientific community possesses the necessary expertise to recover from the damage inflicted during the strikes. “By destroying buildings… we will not be set back,” he emphasized in a video posted on his official website. He did not provide specific details regarding the extent of the damage or the plans for reconstruction.
President Trump previously stated that the military action had effectively obliterated Iran’s nuclear program, although the true level of destruction remains unclear. Reports indicate that Israel initiated an extensive bombing campaign against Iran in June, marking a tense escalation that spanned 12 days. This campaign targeted not only nuclear and military installations but also residential areas, resulting in significant casualties, including many leading Iranian scientists.
In retaliation, Iran launched a series of ballistic missile strikes on Israeli cities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated in July that the repercussions of the strikes on Iran’s facilities were “serious and severe,” reflecting a strong response to the military actions.
The timing of Pezeshkian’s remarks coincides with Oman’s call for renewed negotiations between Iran and the United States. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi expressed a desire to facilitate a return to diplomatic talks at the IISS Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain. Following the announcement from Oman, Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that Tehran has received messages regarding the resumption of diplomacy but did not elaborate on their content.
Oman has previously hosted five rounds of talks between the U.S. and Iran this year. Notably, the sixth round was scheduled shortly after Israel’s strikes commenced, casting a shadow over potential diplomatic efforts. The situation has further complicated as Iran faces the reimposition of UN sanctions, prompted by the UK, Germany, and France’s activation of a “snapback” mechanism due to Iran’s alleged violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
