The United States has reported that 400 kilograms of uranium have gone missing from three Iranian nuclear sites targeted in recent airstrikes. In an interview with ABC News, US Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that the missing uranium, enriched to 60 percent, was enough to produce approximately ten nuclear weapons.
US intelligence agencies believe that Iran, anticipating the strikes, moved the uranium to a secure location before the attacks. Vance issued a stern warning, stating that severe consequences would follow if Iran resumed its nuclear weapons program. “We are not at war with Iran. Our war is against Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” he said. He further added that the strength of the American military should not be underestimated if Iran proceeds to develop nuclear weapons in the future.
However, Vance refrained from disclosing the extent of the damage inflicted on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility or how much uranium Iran has enriched so far.
The 400 kilograms of uranium that went missing was enriched to 60 percent, placing it in the weapons-grade category. Intelligence sources view this as a strong indication that Iran may be continuing its nuclear weapons development. Israeli officials corroborated the disappearance of the uranium on Monday.
According to a report in The New York Times, which cited Israeli intelligence, not only uranium but certain equipment was also moved from the bombed facilities to undisclosed locations. Satellite images taken just before the US strikes reportedly show a convoy of around 16 trucks stationed near the Fordow nuclear facility. The current whereabouts of the uranium remain unknown. Both US and Israeli sources believe the material may have been transported to another underground site within Iran.
The US Air Force carried out targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow in the early hours of Sunday. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deployed bunker-busting munitions during the operation. Although the US has supported Israel throughout the ongoing conflict, Sunday’s attack marks Washington’s first direct military involvement.
US President Donald Trump took to social media shortly after the operation to confirm the strike. He stated that the US had delivered a blow to Iran that would be remembered forever.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have acknowledged the attacks but maintained that the nuclear facilities did not suffer any major damage.
