Fact Check: U.S. strikes failed to eliminate Iran's 60% enriched uranium stockpile.

Fact Check: "U.S. strikes failed to eliminate Iran's 60% enriched uranium stockpile."

What We Know

Recent military strikes by the United States targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Despite claims from U.S. officials that these strikes significantly damaged Iran's nuclear capabilities, independent assessments indicate that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity remains largely intact. According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of May 31, 2025, Iran had enough uranium enriched to 60% to potentially produce nine nuclear weapons if further enriched (source-1). Following the strikes, U.S. officials admitted they were uncertain about the fate of this stockpile, with Vice President JD Vance stating that discussions would be needed to ascertain its status (source-2).

Experts have suggested that Iran may have moved portions of its enriched uranium to undisclosed locations prior to the strikes. Satellite imagery indicated that trucks were seen at the Fordow site just before the attacks, likely indicating preparations to protect their uranium stock (source-3). Reports also suggest that approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity were relocated (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that U.S. strikes failed to eliminate Iran's 60% enriched uranium stockpile is supported by multiple credible sources. The IAEA's report confirms that Iran had substantial quantities of enriched uranium as of May 2025, and independent experts have corroborated that the strikes did not effectively destroy this stockpile (source-1, source-3).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include statements from officials and analyses from experts in nuclear proliferation. The IAEA is a recognized authority on nuclear oversight, and the insights from experts like Jeffrey Lewis and David Albright, who have extensive backgrounds in nuclear security, lend additional credibility to the assessment that significant amounts of enriched uranium remain unaccounted for (source-3).

Furthermore, the U.S. government's statements regarding the success of the strikes appear to be overly optimistic. While they reported substantial damage to facilities, the lack of clarity about the uranium stockpile's fate suggests that the strikes did not achieve their intended goal of eliminating Iran's enriched uranium capabilities (source-2).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that U.S. strikes failed to eliminate Iran's 60% enriched uranium stockpile is true. Despite military actions that caused damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, independent assessments and official reports indicate that significant quantities of enriched uranium remain, and the precise status of this stockpile is still uncertain.

Sources

1. US strikes on Iran nuclear sites are real-life test of hard power's limits
2. Officials Concede They Don't Know the Fate of Iran's Uranium Stockpile
3. Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed
4. US seeks to weaken Iran by striking nuclear sites
5. US strikes on Iran nuclear sites are real-life test of hard power's limits
6. Iran targets US base in Qatar as airlines avoid the Middle East
7. Fact Check: Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels