Here's Why Here’s Why Iran’s Unaccounted for Uranium Worries Experts
Jun 27, 2025
Jonathan Tirone, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in nuclear diplomacy, delves into the alarming issue of Iran's unaccounted for uranium. He discusses the recent unknown whereabouts of 409 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, raising concerns among International Atomic Energy Agency experts. The conversation explores the ease of transporting such materials and the challenges in monitoring them. Tirone also sheds light on the future of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the significant implications of Iran's potential withdrawal.
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Unaccounted Highly Enriched Uranium
- Iran has 409 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if fully enriched.
- This material was last seen days before Israel's June 13 bombing and is now unaccounted for by the IAEA.
Bombing Halts Uranium Verification
- Once Israel's bombing began, IAEA inspectors could no longer verify uranium location due to safety and access restrictions.
- Iran had warned it would move material if attacked, but has not disclosed its current location, exacerbating monitoring challenges.
Uranium Is Easily Transportable
- Highly enriched uranium is transportable in individual canisters about the size of scuba tanks.
- Handling this uranium is manageable without complex radiological risks until irradiated in a reactor or bomb.