Congressman Brad Sherman Statement on the U.S. Strike Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for 29 years, released the following statement on the United States strike against Iran’s nuclear sites:

“The attack on Fordow and other sites nearly destroyed Iran’s ability to enrich uranium in the future. But Iran already has stockpiled enough near-weapons grade uranium for about 9 bombs. Only coercive diplomacy can eliminate that immediate threat. Watch. What does Israel do, or threaten, regarding the Kharg Island oil export facility and Iran’s above-ground strategic and economic infrastructure? Does Iran threaten the Strait of Hormuz, and can the U.S. keep it open? 20% of the world's oil goes through the Strait.

Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium probably survived and is immediately dangerous. If Iran can salvage or reconstruct even a small portion of its enrichment capacity, it can turn this stockpile into enough weapons-grade uranium for roughly 9 bombs. And even if they have no enrichment capacity, they can probably create crude bombs out of the 60% uranium, though crude bombs probably could not be delivered by missile. Only diplomacy, backed by coercion, can eliminate the threat posed by Iran’s stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium.

So how dangerous is the stockpile of 60% highly enriched uranium that Iran had yesterday and probably still retains? It’s enough for about 9 bombs when enriched to over 90%, weapons-grade. The experts I’ve consulted conclude: If Iran retains or reconstitutes 12% of its enrichment capacity, it can create enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb every 2.5 weeks. Only coercive diplomacy can cause Iran to discourage its stockpile.”

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