Nuclear Dust—What Is It and Can Trump Actually Get It Out Of Iran?
Summary
President Donald Trump has said the U.S. might send forces into Iran to retrieve highly enriched uranium, which he calls "nuclear dust." This uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons, and its control is a major issue in U.S.-Iran relations.Key Facts
- "Nuclear dust" refers to highly enriched uranium stored deep underground in Iran.
- Iran’s uranium is enriched up to 60%, close to the 90% needed for nuclear bombs.
- The 2015 Iran nuclear deal limited enrichment to 3.67%, but Iran left the deal after Trump withdrew the U.S. in his first term.
- The U.S. and Israel carried out bomb strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 to damage these facilities.
- Despite strikes, Iran’s highly enriched uranium remains unaccounted for and is believed to be at the Isfahan site.
- Experts say taking uranium from Iran without its cooperation would be very difficult.
- The U.N. nuclear watchdog found no clear proof Iran was building nuclear weapons but confirmed an active nuclear program.
- "Nuclear dust" may also mean uranium hexafluoride gas used in uranium enrichment centrifuges.
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