Uncertainty Grows Over Iran’s Uranium Stockpile After U.S. Strikes on Enrichment Sites

Following U.S. airstrikes on three of Iran’s major uranium enrichment facilities, questions are mounting over the whereabouts and status of nearly 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity — material that could potentially be further refined to weapons-grade.

The condition of Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility, buried deep underground and targeted in the strikes, remains unclear. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has so far been unable to assess the extent of the damage, with satellite imagery from last Thursday and Friday showing around a dozen trucks parked outside the site — but offering little detail beyond that.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News that the uranium might now be buried beneath the rubble of the targeted sites. “Our goal was to bury the uranium, and I do think the uranium is buried,” Vance said, adding that the mission aimed not only to eliminate Iran’s nuclear stockpile but also to cripple its ability to convert enriched fuel into a nuclear weapon.

Iran currently possesses uranium enriched to 60% purity, well below the 90%-plus needed for a nuclear weapon, but still of major proliferation concern.

Amid fears of escalation, Iran has claimed that no radioactive material was present at the sites during the attack. Two Israeli officials told The New York Times that Tehran had quietly moved much of its enriched uranium and related equipment from the sites in the days leading up to the U.S. operation.

‘We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program’

Speaking to NBC, Vance reiterated that the U.S. is not seeking open conflict with Iran. “We’re not at war with Iran… We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, defending the strikes as a necessary measure to delay Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Vance declined to confirm whether the facilities had been completely destroyed, citing the sensitivity of intelligence. However, he expressed confidence that the strikes had “substantially delayed” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which he emphasized was the core objective of the mission.