Explainer-Iran's strongest card in nuclear talks: its highly enriched uranium
Iran and the United States are in discussions to extend a ceasefire and negotiate Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. is particularly concerned about Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which could potentially be used to develop nuclear weapons. Despite the destruction of some of its enrichment infrastructure, estimates suggest that a significant amount of enriched uranium remains intact in Iran.
- ▪Iran has not informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog about its enriched uranium since the June attacks.
- ▪The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates Iran had 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60% before the attacks.
- ▪U.S. concerns focus on the 60% enriched uranium, as it is easier to further enrich to weapons-grade levels.
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Explainer-Iran's strongest card in nuclear talks: its highly enriched uraniumSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPeople walk on a street near a mural featuring an image of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 18, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSPublished May 30, 2026, 02:04 AMUpdated May 30, 2026, 02:04 AMVIENNA, May 29 - Iran and the United States are in discussions to extend their ceasefire so as to start negotiations on issues including Tehran's nuclear program, where Washington insists Iran must not be able to make a nuclear weapon.While much of Iran's uranium enrichment infrastructure was destroyed or badly damaged when Israel and the U.S.
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