Trump’s New Nuclear Nightmare in Iran

Mother Jones
by David Corn
March 12, 2026
5 min read

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Trump's actions led to Iran possessing 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, posing a nuclear risk.

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Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran and previously withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal has led to Iran possessing an estimated 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, which is closer to bomb-grade material. This uranium, enriched to 60 percent, is a result of Iran increasing its enrichment levels after the deal's abrogation, and its current location is unknown to international nuclear inspectors. Nuclear policy expert Joe Cirincione states that this material could be enriched to 90 percent for a bomb and suggests the only solutions are a high-risk military operation or a negotiated deal to secure or downblend the uranium. The article concludes that Trump's actions have created a "possibly catastrophic problem" with no clear plan for resolution, leaving Iran holding "all the nuclear cards."

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