In a recent interview, Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity to meet U.S. demands and bring an end to the seven‑month conflict that began after the United States and Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
What was destroyed in the 2024 strikes?
On June 13, 2024, Israel launched airstrikes against three known Iranian uranium‑enrichment facilities, and the United States followed with additional attacks. The campaign, lasting 12 days, severely damaged or destroyed the plants at Natanz and Fordow and heavily damaged a third site. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that before the bombings Iran was enriching uranium to up to 60% purity – a short step from the roughly 90% level required for a nuclear weapon.
The IAEA estimated that Iran held about 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% at the time of the attacks, enough, if further enriched, for roughly ten nuclear weapons. No other nation has enriched uranium to that level without pursuing a weapons program, and the IAEA flagged the quantity and purity as a serious concern.
What remains after the bombings?
Iran has not disclosed how much of its enriched uranium survived the strikes, nor has it allowed IAEA inspectors back onto the damaged sites. The only above‑ground plant at Natanz was destroyed, while the other two facilities are believed to be out of operation.
According to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, a “bit more than 200 kg” of 60%‑enriched uranium likely remains in the tunnel complex at Isfahan, with additional material possibly still at Natanz. This residual stock, while reduced, still represents a material that could be further enriched with relatively few centrifuges.
How the Trump administration is responding
President Trump’s decision in 2018 to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement removed the inspection regime that had limited Tehran’s centrifuge numbers. The administration has since focused on a strategy of maximum pressure, including the 2024 strikes, to degrade Iran’s nuclear capability.
Vice President Vance emphasized that the United States remains committed to ensuring Iran cannot achieve a weapons‑grade program. He called for Iran to provide transparent accounting of its remaining enriched uranium and to allow full IAEA access to all sites.
What a reduction would look like
Because Iran is not currently known to be actively enriching, any reduction would be measured against its pre‑strike capacity. This could involve lowering the purity level of the uranium, decreasing the amount of material stored, or shutting down any remaining enrichment facilities.
The Trump administration argues that even a partial reduction would significantly diminish the threat to U.S. allies and reduce the risk of a nuclear breakout in the Middle East.
Looking ahead
Analysts note that while the remaining 200 kg of 60%‑enriched uranium is a smaller stockpile, it still poses a proliferation risk if Tehran decides to resume enrichment. The administration’s next steps will likely focus on diplomatic pressure, continued sanctions, and ensuring that any future negotiations include robust verification mechanisms.
For now, the United States and its allies remain vigilant, urging Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA and to take concrete steps toward a verifiable reduction in its enrichment capacity.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
