According to a report by 19FortyFive and cited by MIRA Safety analysts in July 2026, US and allied intelligence agencies are unable to definitively verify that all nuclear materials in Iran were eliminated following the 2026 strikes conducted by the US and Israel. While the operations were deemed effective in targeting known enrichment sites, Iran's nuclear endeavors have historically included dispersed, concealed, and undisclosed elements. The International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged the presence of an 'ambitious nuclear programme' in Iran, yet found no indications of a 'structured programme to manufacture nuclear weapons'—a nuance that intelligence officials caution introduces considerable ambiguity. With Iran's new Supreme Leader facing intense political and personal pressures, experts now suggest that the likelihood of Iran secretly reviving its nuclear capabilities has reached unprecedented levels. Should Iran succeed in developing a nuclear weapon, numerous US cities—including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami—would be within the striking range of Iranian ballistic missiles.
