Negotiations with US not expected to start soon, says Iran’s FM as regime starts evaluating Fordow damage

New satellite images show that the Iranian regime has started evaluating the damage to its nuclear site at Fordow in recent days. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continued to threaten a renewal of the nuclear program.

After U.S President Donald Trump hinted that direct negotiations with the regime could be renewed within days, Araghchi told CBS that the regime would demand assurances first.

“I don't think negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” the regime’s top diplomat said.

“In order for us to decide to re-engage, we will have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations.”

“And I think with all these considerations, we still need more time,” he said while adding, “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”

Last week Trump said that talks with Iran could be restarted soon, but added, “We may sign an agreement. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary.”

Speaking at the NATO summit last Wednesday, Trump said that a meeting had been set for next week. “They had a war, they fought, and now they’re going back to their world. I don’t care if I have an agreement or not.”

Meanwhile, Maxar Technologies published new high-resolution satellite imagery of the destroyed nuclear sites, showing new dirt roads that were paved to the impact points of the American bunker buster bombs at the summit of the mountain in Fordow.

Several vehicles can be seen at different points of the site, including what looks like an excavator and a crane near the impact points.

The images “indicate preparations for downhole damage assessment and possible downhole entry of cameras and/or personnel,” according to David Albright, a former nuclear inspector and President of the Institute for Science and International Security.

Iranian activity at the MOP impact points of the underground Fordow Enrichment Plant observed in satellite imagery taken by @Maxar yesterday and today indicate preparations for downhole damage assessment and possible downhole entry of cameras and/or personnel. Imagery from today… pic.twitter.com/urrhDSEoXi

— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) June 30, 2025

“Imagery from today shows a large mobile crane at one impact site, near the main ventilation shaft impact hole where preparations are still being made by a mobile excavator/backhoe. At the other impact site a bulldozer is preparing a staging pad. We assess that at a minimum, Iran would lower cameras first, and then personnel if it were deemed to be feasible and safe, starting with the site where the crane is already present,” he wrote on 𝕏.

“Further, we observe many trucks near the east access portal, and no visible activity at backfilled tunnel entrances. Several of the trucks appear to be dump trucks used to haul away debris.”

In his interview with CBS, Araghchi vowed that Iran would continue to strive for nuclear technology, while repeating the claim that it would be used for peaceful purposes.

Esfahan today June 30 2023

June 30, 2025 Maxar satellite imagery of the Esfahan, aka Isfahan, nuclear complex shows little sign of activity, including any construction or other movement. Iran does not appear to have yet commenced recovery operations, let alone begun to repair… pic.twitter.com/ctl9aYIZ8a

— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) June 30, 2025

“One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings,” he said. “If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time.” 

Speaking with the New York Times, Joseph S. Bermudez, senior fellow for imagery analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, confirmed Albright’s assessment.

“The images are showing us that the Iranians are beginning the process of investigating what happened and what level of damage the facility has.”

“I don’t think they’ve moved into the phase of reactivation,” Bermudez said. “There’s no real evidence for that. You would expect to see more vehicles, different types of vehicles.”

Iran’s “peaceful nuclear program has turned into a matter of national pride and glory. We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war, therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment,” Araghchi stressed.