Fact Check: "60% of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains untouched after US strikes."
What We Know
The claim that "60% of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains untouched after US strikes" stems from recent military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. Reports indicate that prior to these strikes, Iran was enriching uranium to levels up to 60% purity, which is significant as it is just below the 90% threshold typically required for weapons-grade material (source-2).
Following the strikes, officials have expressed uncertainty regarding the exact fate of Iran's uranium stockpile. Vice President JD Vance noted that while the strikes aimed to disrupt Iran's nuclear capabilities, the extent of the damage and the current status of the uranium stockpile remain unclear (source-1). Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed that the last verified sighting of the enriched uranium occurred shortly before the strikes, suggesting that some of it may have been moved to safeguard it from potential attacks (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion that 60% of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains untouched is partially substantiated by the information available. Reports indicate that a significant portion of Iran's enriched uranium was indeed stored at the Fordo facility, which was heavily targeted during the strikes. However, there are conflicting reports about whether any uranium was moved prior to the strikes. Some sources suggest that Iranian officials had anticipated potential attacks and may have relocated uranium and equipment to other sites (source-1; source-6).
The reliability of the sources varies. The New York Times and CNN are reputable news organizations known for their investigative journalism, providing a level of credibility to their reports. In contrast, some claims regarding the exact percentages and locations of the uranium stockpile may be speculative, as the IAEA's ability to conduct inspections has been severely hampered by the ongoing conflict (source-3).
While the claim that 60% of the stockpile remains untouched is plausible, the lack of concrete evidence and the dynamic nature of the situation complicate the verification of this specific figure.
Conclusion
The claim that "60% of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains untouched after US strikes" is Partially True. While there is credible evidence that Iran had a substantial amount of uranium enriched to 60% purity prior to the strikes, the actual status of this stockpile is uncertain due to potential relocation of materials and ongoing military actions. The situation remains fluid, and without further verification from international inspectors, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.
Sources
- Officials Concede They Don't Know the Fate of Iran's Uranium Stockpile
- US strikes on Iran nuclear sites are real-life test of hard powers limits
- U.S. Iran strikes show no sign of widespread environmental impact
- U.S. Spy Agencies Assess Iran Remains Undecided on Nuclear Weapons
- Material document posted during PGI for Outbound Delivery - SAP
- Early assessments raise questions over whether US strikes were effective
