US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff revealed on March 2, 2026, that Iranian negotiators openly boasted during early nuclear talks that they possessed enough highly enriched uranium to produce 11 nuclear bombs. In a Fox News interview, Witkoff described the Iranian side's stance as starting with pride over their 460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, which they admitted could be further processed into weapons-grade material for multiple warheads. He emphasized that this declaration came "with no shame" and highlighted their evasion of international oversight protocols.
Witkoff's comments serve as justification for the recent joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear-related facilities, which began on February 28, 2026, and have escalated into a broader conflict now entering its fifth day. He recounted that Iranian officials framed their stockpile as a point of leverage in negotiations, stating they were "proud" of reaching a capability that could deliver 11 nuclear bombs. Witkoff contrasted this with the US position, noting that President Donald Trump views any such advancement as crossing a red line of zero enrichment. He added that Iran's broader fissionable material totals roughly 10,000 kilograms, including portions at 20% and lower enrichment levels.
The revelation comes amid stalled diplomacy, with multiple rounds of indirect talks—involving Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—failing to yield an agreement. US demands focused on halting all enrichment, dismantling capabilities, and curbing missiles and proxies, while Iran insisted on its right to peaceful nuclear energy. Witkoff indicated that the boastful attitude signaled Iran's unwillingness to compromise meaningfully, contributing to the decision for military action to degrade the program and prevent breakout capacity.
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Independent assessments from bodies like the IAEA have long noted Iran's stockpile of around 400-460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium as sufficient for several potential weapons if further enriched to 90%, though experts caution that weaponization requires additional steps beyond fissile material production. The US maintains that strikes have set back Iran's capabilities significantly, though some intelligence reports suggest remnants persist and full elimination remains challenging without ground operations. Witkoff reiterated that Iran's near-weapons-grade enrichment left "almost no stopping" them short of intervention.
This disclosure intensifies the narrative around the ongoing US-Israel-Iran confrontation, framing the strikes as preemptive against an imminent nuclear threat. As casualties mount and regional retaliation continues—including Iranian missile strikes and proxy actions—the comments underscore the administration's view that diplomacy exhausted options before force became necessary. Global calls for de-escalation persist, with concerns over civilian impacts and broader proliferation risks in the volatile Middle East.
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