US Calls for Complete Dismantling of Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program

The uranium enrichment program in Iran must be completely dismantled, according to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who made the statement at the annual conference of the international nuclear regulatory body.
Earlier this year, the U.S. and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, expressing concerns that Iran was nearing the capability to develop nuclear weapons. However, the international nuclear agency responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities has stated it has found no solid evidence of an organised weapons program.
That agency has raised concerns about Iran stockpiling roughly 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, which is close to the level typically considered weapons-grade at about 90%. This amount could potentially be enough for around 10 nuclear bombs if further enriched.
The attacks seriously damaged or destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites, but the fate of its enriched uranium stockpile remains uncertain, as inspectors have not been able to conduct verifications since the strikes.
In his address to the international body’s member states, Wright emphasised that the U.S. position is clear: Iran’s nuclear weapons pathway, including all uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing activities, must be fully dismantled.
Meanwhile, Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—have begun a month-long process to reinstate sanctions on Iran that were previously lifted under a 2015 nuclear agreement, which fell apart after the U.S. withdrew in 2018. The E3 have indicated they may pause this process if Iran allows full resumption of inspections, accounts for its enriched uranium stockpiles, and engages in direct nuclear negotiations with the U.S.
Last week, Iran agreed with the international nuclear agency on steps toward resuming inspections, though it remains uncertain whether this progress will satisfy the European countries.
Iran maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium, as permitted to all members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), so long as it is for peaceful purposes, and denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
By contrast, Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though it neither confirms nor denies this.
Wright expressed hope that talks would resume and be successful, adding that the U.S. offers Iran the possibility of rejoining the global trading community through the lifting of sanctions. He described this as a significant benefit for the Iranian people and said there are additional incentives for Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.