Key Facts
- Tulsi Gabbard testified in March 2025 that US intelligence assesses Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and that Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized a nuclear weapons program since 2003.
- Gabbard clarified that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest levels and unprecedented for a non-nuclear state.
- Gabbard stated that US intelligence shows Iran is at the point it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months.
- The IAEA found uranium particles enriched to 83.7% purity at Fordow, near the 90% needed for a bomb, marking the only Iranian facility with such enrichment.
- Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saidabsolutely ready for a negotiated solution on the nuclear program but cannot negotiate while under bombardment.
- Experts assessed that if nuclear sites like Fordow are bombed, there is little risk of widespread contamination due to the chemical toxicity and heavy nature of uranium gas.
- The IAEA head warned that nuclear safety is compromised due to attacks on nuclear installations, which could spread contamination over a wider area.
- Israel has expressed intent to cripple or remove Iran's nuclear program, viewing it as an existential threat.
- The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant can convert 60% enriched uranium into 233 kg of weapon-grade uranium in three weeks, enough for nine nuclear weapons according to ISIS.1
- Isfahan hosts Iran's largest nuclear research complex with 3,000 scientists and is suspected to be the center of Iran's nuclear program.1
Isfahan is in central Iran, and is home to the country’s largest nuclear research complex. The facility was built with support from China and opened in 1984, according to the NTI. According to NTI, 3,000 scientists are employed at Isfahan, and the site is 'suspected of being the center' of Iran’s nuclear program.
Cnn
1
The Fordow enrichment plant is one of three key pieces of nuclear infrastructure in Iran - the others being the Natanz enrichment plant and research facilities in Isfahan. It is thought to be buried around 80m deep into the side of the mountain.
News
In her post on social media, Gabbard said US intelligence showed Iran is 'at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months'. 'President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree,' she added.
Bbc
Key Stats at a Glance
Uranium enrichment purity at Fordow
83.7%
Uranium conversion and weapon-grade uranium production
60 percent
1