Fact Check: Trump Warns Military Force to Prevent Iran from Enriching Uranium to Weapons-Grade Levels
What We Know
Recently, President Trump made statements regarding Iran's nuclear program, claiming that military action was necessary to prevent Iran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels. Reports indicate that Iran had been enriching uranium to 60% purity, which is just below the 90% typically required for weapons-grade material (source-1). A classified report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that Iran had produced over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to this level (source-2).
Moreover, following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities, there were conflicting assessments regarding the damage inflicted. While some officials claimed that the strikes had severely damaged Iran's nuclear capabilities, others suggested that the extent of the damage was less clear and that Iran had moved some of its uranium stockpile prior to the attacks (source-1, source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Trump warned of military force to prevent Iran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels is partially true. Trump's administration has indeed taken a hardline stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions, emphasizing military readiness as a potential response. However, the actual effectiveness of military strikes in completely neutralizing Iran's nuclear program remains debated among experts.
For instance, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine acknowledged significant damage to Iranian facilities, they refrained from endorsing Trump's claim that the program was "obliterated" (source-1, source-2). The IAEA's assessments also indicate that while some progress has been made in curtailing Iran's capabilities, the situation remains fluid, with Iran reportedly relocating its enriched uranium to avoid detection (source-1).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including reports from established news organizations and official statements from government officials. However, the interpretations of military effectiveness and the current state of Iran's nuclear program vary, indicating a need for cautious interpretation of the claims made by Trump and his administration.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump warned of military force to prevent Iran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels is Partially True. While there is a basis for the assertion that military action was considered and that Iran's uranium enrichment is a significant concern, the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities and the effectiveness of such military threats remain uncertain. The situation is complex, with ongoing developments that could influence the outcome.
Sources
- Officials Concede They Don't Know the Fate of Iran's ... (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/us/politics/iran-uranium-stockpile-whereabouts.html)
- Obliterated? Damaged? Inoperable? What's known about ... (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/26/nx-s1-5443666/obliterated-damaged-inoperable-iran-nuclear-facilities)
- Iran boosts enriched uranium stockpile, as Trump pushes ... (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/31/iran-nuclear-uranium-enrichment-trump/)
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP (https://www.jforum.fr/qui-est-massad-boulos-ce-libanais-conseiller-de-trump.html)
- Pourquoi la fureur de Trump et Vance contre Zelensky (https://www.jforum.fr/pourquoi-la-fureur-de-trump-et-vance-contre-zelensky.html)
- The Trump Administration's Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise ... (https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-trump-administrations-reckless-strikes-in-iran-raise-more-questions-than-answers/)
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump - JForum (https://www.jforum.fr/pourquoi-ce-chapeau-de-melania-trump.html)
- Trump is not interested in listening to US experts on Iran's ... (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/23/trump-israel-iran-nuclear-facilities-cia)
