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Iran Keeps Enriched Uranium as Trump Threatens US Seizure

5/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium to stay inside the country, halting removal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will obtain the stockpile and may destroy it, insisting Iran must not keep the material.
Iranian officials said they would consider down-blending the 60 % enriched uranium to 3.67 % inside Iran, a process they claim is irreversible.

History

Historical Context

In 1970 the NPT entered into force, giving Iran a right to peaceful nuclear energy but obligating safeguards. After IAEA reports of non-compliance in 2003-2006, Iran resumed enrichment, prompting Khamenei’s 2010 fatwa against nuclear weapons and U.S. President Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA, heightening diplomatic tension over enriched uranium.

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Story summary

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium to stay inside the country, halting removal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will obtain the stockpile and may destroy it, insisting Iran must not keep the material.
Iranian officials said they would consider down-blending the 60 % enriched uranium to 3.67 % inside Iran, a process they claim is irreversible.

1 / 2