US Claims Iran’s Enriched Uranium Stockpile Sparked Joint Strikes with Israel
reuters
New Delhi, March 3 (TheTrendingPeople): The joint US-Israel military offensive against Iran was triggered by Tehran’s insistence on its “inalienable right” to enrich nuclear fuel and its alleged stockpile of 460kg of uranium enriched to 60%, according to Steve Witkoff.
Speaking to Fox News, Witkoff said the uranium quantity was potentially sufficient to produce up to 11 nuclear weapons if enriched further to weapons-grade levels of 90%. He stated that negotiations held in Geneva last month collapsed after Iranian officials made it clear they intended to maintain enrichment capabilities.
The renewed conflict follows months of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. According to Witkoff, the US sought three core outcomes: dismantling Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, ending support for armed groups such as Hezbollah, and reducing naval capabilities to ensure maritime freedom.
President Donald Trump reportedly concluded that further negotiations were unlikely to succeed. Witkoff said he and Jared Kushner advised the President that a deal appeared “impossible” after the second round of talks.
In June 2025, Vice President JD Vance had claimed that a 400kg uranium stockpile was unaccounted for following US strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Washington had deployed bunker-buster munitions during what officials termed Operation “Midnight Hammer.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended solely for civilian and medical purposes. However, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have previously raised concerns about the scale and pace of enrichment activities.
Key Features of the Escalation
The immediate trigger for the military strikes, according to US officials, was Iran’s stated refusal to halt enrichment beyond civilian thresholds. Witkoff claimed Iranian negotiators acknowledged possessing 460kg enriched to 60%.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Iran had used negotiations to transfer sensitive nuclear infrastructure deeper underground, beyond the reach of conventional air strikes.
On Saturday, US and Israeli forces launched coordinated missile and drone attacks targeting multiple Iranian sites, including compounds in Tehran. Iran later confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes on Tel Aviv, American military installations in West Asia, and energy infrastructure in neighbouring states.
The military exchange has intensified fears of a broader regional war. Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20 million barrels of oil pass daily, has sent crude prices surging and disrupted global shipping.
Energy markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude rising amid supply concerns. Analysts warn that prolonged closure of Hormuz could have significant inflationary effects worldwide, particularly for oil-importing economies.
Airspace closures across West Asia have also disrupted global aviation routes, adding logistical and economic strain.
Security experts note that if Iran retains enriched uranium reserves, further escalation cannot be ruled out. The central question now is whether Tehran retains the capacity to enrich to weapons-grade levels despite damage to its facilities.
Future Outlook
Diplomatic channels appear strained but not entirely closed. Washington has reiterated that its objective is preventing nuclear weaponisation, while Tehran has vowed retaliation and defended its nuclear programme as lawful.
Regional powers are urging de-escalation amid mounting civilian casualties and economic risks. The coming weeks will likely determine whether the conflict remains contained or evolves into a prolonged confrontation reshaping West Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
Our Final Thoughts
The US claim that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile precipitated military action underscores the fragile balance between deterrence and diplomacy. While Washington and Tel Aviv frame the strikes as preventive, Tehran insists its programme is peaceful.
Beyond strategic calculations, the broader consequences are already visible — from energy market volatility to heightened regional insecurity. Whether diplomacy can re-emerge after such an escalation remains one of the defining questions of this crisis.