Energy Secretary Warns Iran Weeks Away from Weapons-Grade Uranium Despite US Military Campaign

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Iran is frighteningly close to acquiring a nuclear weapon, estimating it is only weeks away from enriching its uranium stockpile to weapons-grade levels. This warning comes nearly three months after the United States launched Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign intended to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions. Although previous airstrikes, including Operation Midnight Hammer, severely damaged Iranian facilities, intelligence assessments indicate they were not completely destroyed. Iran currently possesses approximately 12 tons of uranium, with one ton at 60% purity requiring minimal further enrichment to reach the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material. While Tehran insists its program is peaceful, US officials remain deeply concerned. Senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have suggested potential ground operations to seize or destroy remaining stockpiles. Experts note that while weaponization would take additional months, Iran retains the capability to produce more than a dozen nuclear bombs if it chooses to proceed, having previously delayed final steps due to fear of military retaliation.