What will happen to Iran's nuclear material?
Key takeaways
- Iran is believed to have over 440 kilos (970 pounds) of enriched uranium, which could be turned into weapons-grade nuclear material.
- The regime's insistence on uranium enrichment has exposed the country to heavy sanctions, and some estimates have put the direct economic damage at around $3.5 trillion (€3 trillion).
- Throughout the recent military conflicts and fragile ceasefires between Tehran and Washington, the program has once again taken center stage.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Iran is believed to have over 440 kilos (970 pounds) of enriched uranium, which could be turned into weapons-grade nuclear material. Despite Trump's pledge to get the "nuclear dust," Tehran has kept it out of US reach.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Db2v It is unclear where the material is located and what technical challenges needed to be overcome in order to access it Image: Satellite image Maxar Technologies/AFPAdvertisement Iran's nuclear program has been a source of strife for decades, with two generations of Iranians now associating words like as yellowcake, centrifuges, and enrichment with crisis, instability, and war. The regime's insistence on uranium enrichment has exposed the country to heavy sanctions, and some estimates have put the direct economic damage at around $3.5 trillion (€3 trillion).
Throughout the recent military conflicts and fragile ceasefires between Tehran and Washington, the program has once again taken center stage. The US seems particularly focused on Iran's nuclear stockpile — Tehran is believed to have over 440 kilos (970 pounds) of uranium already enriched to 60%, far above what is necessary for civilian purposes. Theoretically, this material could be enriched further to reach 90% in a relatively short time, making it suitable for use in nuclear weapons.