Iran's High-Enriched Uranium Stockpiles Emerge as Key Issue Ahead of Potential US Nuclear Talks

Iran and the United States are consulting to extend a ceasefire and begin negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program. Washington has stressed that Iran must not acquire the capability to build nuclear weapons.

A significant portion of Iran's uranium enrichment infrastructure was destroyed or severely damaged during Israeli and American attacks in June. However, a large part of its high-enriched uranium stockpiles may still remain.

Before the June 13 attacks, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated that Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, 184.1 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium, more than 6,000 kilograms of 5 percent enriched uranium, and 2,391 kilograms of 2 percent enriched uranium. The 60 percent stockpiles would be enough to produce 10 nuclear weapons if further enriched.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that more than 200 kilograms of Iran's 60 percent stockpiles are stored in the tunnel complex in Isfahan, which was largely undamaged in the attacks.

United States President Donald Trump said that Iran must agree to bring out the enriched uranium buried underground and destroy it in coordination with Tehran and the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

Two senior Iranian sources announced that Iran's leader has ordered that the 60 percent enriched uranium stockpiles not be transferred out of the country. Iranian sources indicated that Tehran may agree to transfer half of the 60 percent stockpiles to a third country in exchange for 5 percent enriched uranium and dilute the other half inside the country.