Israel may have used depleted uranium munitions in some of its airstrikes against critical sites in Iran, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported on Thursday, citing an informed source.
The source said that initial tests conducted at the impact sites showed traces of uranium, suggesting the possible use of munitions that contained depleted uranium.
However, the final conclusions have not been reached yet and further investigations and technical analysis are still underway, the source noted.
Depleted uranium (DU) is a toxic heavy metal and the main by-product of uranium enrichment, according to the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). It has the same chemical toxicity properties as uranium, although its radiological toxicity is less.
Due to the high density of DU, it is used in armor-penetrating munitions and to reinforce military vehicles such as tanks. These DU munitions detonate on impact, releasing uranium oxide dust.
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran to eliminate its nuclear program and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. As a result, both countries exchanged intensified aerial and missile attacks for 12 days.
Then on June 22, the US intervened in the conflict by striking three nuclear facilities in Iran, namely Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, using bunker-buster bombs. Iran responded on Monday by targeting US’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with a barrage of ballistic missiles.
Early on Tuesday, the US President, Donald Trump, announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, ending their 12-day war. Trump also said that Washington and Tehran will resume nuclear talks next week, insisting that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, the Iranian parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizing that “Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will move forward at a faster pace.”
