The Israeli government says it knows where Iran is storing approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
“We certainly know where it is. We have a pretty good idea of where it is,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US broadcaster Fox News, adding that Israel has shared this intelligence with the United States.
According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran possessed more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity in the early summer, before the start of Israel’s war against the country.
For nuclear weapons production, further enrichment to over 90% would be required. However, it remains disputed how much of this material and Iran’s enrichment capabilities remain intact following US and Israeli attacks in June. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.
When asked whether Israel, widely believed to have its own secret nuclear arsenal, plans to seize the uranium, Netanyahu did not provide a direct answer.
“We must maintain diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran to make it clear that we will not tolerate a resumption of its efforts to build nuclear bombs aimed at destroying my country and yours.”
Almost 10 years after the historic nuclear agreement with Iran, UN sanctions originally imposed on the country were reinstated on Sunday. The deadline for an agreement between Tehran and its negotiating partners — Germany, the United Kingdom, and France — has expired.
The three European nations initiated the return of sanctions, accusing Iran of violating the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement, particularly by enriching uranium far beyond levels required for civilian purposes.