Trump Says Iran Could Enrich Uranium, But Only at Low, Non-Military Levels

President Donald Trump told The New York Times that Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium, but not for military purposes. He said Iran would be “restricted forever” to low enrichment levels that could never be used by the army, adding that “they will not be able to exceed a certain amount.”

Asked whether this limit was the same as the 3.67% cap in the nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, Trump replied that the new agreement would ensure Iran could enrich only for non-military purposes, “forever.” He did not present the arrangement as identical to the Obama-era deal, but described it as a permanent restriction tied to peaceful use.

Trump also said the United States would work with Iran to dig up, blend and remove all 12 tons of the enriched nuclear fuel in its possession. Under Obama’s nuclear deal, 97% of Iran’s fuel stockpile was transferred to Russia. In addition, Trump said the U.S. would have what he called “strong inspection powers” to make sure Iran was not carrying out nuclear work in violation of its commitments.