President Trump is reportedly considering a plan that would allow Iran to restart uranium enrichment within ten years. The US leader has provided various justifications for the conflict with Iran, consistently emphasizing the goal of preventing the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently possesses 440.9kg of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, which is close to the 90% needed for weapon-grade material. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that Iran’s existing stockpile could potentially be used to construct up to 10 nuclear bombs if the country decides to militarize its nuclear program.
A new proposal under review by President Trump suggests that Iran would pause uranium enrichment for a number of years before being allowed to produce low-enriched uranium over the next decade. Trump is said to have advocated for a 20-year suspension to distinguish his deal from the 2015 nuclear agreement that was terminated. This previous agreement, negotiated by former President Obama, restricted Iran from enriching uranium beyond civilian levels for 15 years.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, the IAEA and Western nations allege that Tehran previously pursued a nuclear weapons program until 2003. Inspections by the IAEA have been obstructed since June 2025, making it challenging to ascertain the exact location of Iran’s near weapons-grade uranium due to past military actions that weakened Iran’s defenses and nuclear infrastructure.
The IAEA estimates that around 200kg of highly enriched uranium is stored in tunnels at Iran’s nuclear facility outside Isfahan, with additional quantities likely held at other sites such as Natanz and Fordo. Experts have expressed concerns about the difficulty of verifying and eliminating Iran’s enriched uranium, citing logistical challenges in locating and neutralizing the material.
Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium is contained in canisters weighing approximately 50kg each and stored as uranium hexafluoride gas. The number of canisters is estimated to range from 26 to possibly double that figure, depending on their capacity. While these canisters are designed for secure storage and transportation, any damage, such as from airstrikes, could pose significant safety risks if moisture infiltrates the containers.