Congress Demands Clarity on Iran’s Enriched Uranium

Several congressional members are raising questions regarding the current status of Iran’s enriched uranium following recent U.S. airstrikes that targeted three nuclear facilities.

Experts from atomic energy agencies estimate that Iran possesses at least 9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, a purity that can potentially be escalated to 90%, qualifying it as weapons-grade material.

Republican Rep. Scott Perry from Pennsylvania expressed skepticism about the complete destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium stock. “I wouldn’t be surprised if some of it still exists,” he remarked during a CNN interview.

Perry further reaffirmed his belief that Iran remains “a terrorist regime.”

When CNN’s John Berman probed whether such a regime still retains enriched uranium, Perry confirmed, “That is absolutely true. Yeah, I think that’s a correct characterization.”

Central to the discussion, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal voiced his worries over the potential threats posed by Iran’s enriched uranium to the United States.

In an interview with NBC, Blumenthal urged the administration to clarify the strikes’ effectiveness against Iranian nuclear capabilities, particularly regarding the whereabouts of the enriched uranium reportedly removed from Fordo.

“I firmly assert that a nuclear-armed Iran poses a global threat, including to the United States,” he stated. “Addressing that threat necessitates a coherent strategy complemented by strength. I see a lack of any strategic coherence at this point; the president must clarify the strategy to both the American public and Congress,” Blumenthal added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has asserted that the War Powers Act, which restricts the presidential ability to engage in military action without Congressional approval, is unconstitutional.

Johnson additionally pledged that an impending resolution aiming to prevent U.S. military actions in Iran based on this law will fail to pass in the House.

The Speaker remarked that former President Trump’s decision to conduct strikes on Iranian nuclear targets was “clearly” within his powers as stated in Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

He indicated alignment with legal scholars who assert that the War Powers Resolution of 1973 is in violation of Article II.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., along with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna from California, submitted a War Powers resolution last week that would restrict U.S. military engagement deemed “unauthorized” in Iran. However, Massie announced that he would not move forward with this resolution if a ceasefire holds between Israel and Iran, according to Politico.

Read further about Johnson’s stance on the War Powers Act here.

— Kevin Breuninger

Vice Admiral Charles Cooper II, nominated by Trump to lead U.S. Central Command, cautioned against the increasing “emerging axis” involving Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China.

“We have observed tactical support from Iran to Russia,” he stated during his confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“There are also tactical implications involving Chinese firms supplying sensors, munitions, and components to Iran, which are subsequently transmitted to the Houthis, aimed at Americans,” he elaborated.

“I believe it is imperative to highlight these emerging alliances, as they constitute a significant concern,” he emphasized.

— Erin Doherty

Oil prices have experienced a marked drop after Trump announced that China could remain active in purchasing oil from Iran, indicating a potential easing of the U.S.’s stringent approach towards the Islamic Republic amidst a developing ceasefire involving Israel.

As of 11:55 a.m. ET, global benchmark Brent prices fell by $4.14 or 5.79%, settling at $67.34 per barrel. Concurrently, U.S. crude oil dropped $3.97 or 5.79% at $65.54 per barrel. This decline marked a 7% reduction in prices by the close of trade on Monday, as the market responded optimistically that the Middle Eastern conflict was easing.

Trump stated in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, “China can now continue to buy oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will also purchase plenty from the U.S. It was my great honor to facilitate this!”

— Spencer Kimball

In a recent New York Times op-ed, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken termed the weekend missile strike on Iranian nuclear sites as “unwise and unnecessary.”

“Now that it has occurred, I sincerely hope it was effective,” Blinken, who served under President Joe Biden, noted.

“I can only wish that we inflicted significant damage—damage that provides the president with the leverage needed to finally seal the deal he has been struggling to achieve,” he added.

– Laya Neelakandan

A former Defense Department official suggested that the next developments in the Iran-Israel conflict will manifest at the negotiating table.

Michèle Flournoy, co-founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration, asserted that pressure should be applied to both parties.

The primary focus should be on evaluating the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and whether it would prompt Iran to approach negotiations “with greater seriousness than before,” she indicated in a discussion on Finance Newso’s Squawk Box.

“While we may want to breathe a sigh of relief today with the ceasefire, this situation is far from settled,” Flournoy cautioned.

– Laya Neelakandan

Two classified briefings for Congress regarding Iran, initially scheduled for this afternoon, have been postponed, as reported by NBC News’ Frank Thorp.

This postponement coincides with the apparent establishment of a fragile ceasefire, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attending a NATO summit in the Netherlands with Trump.

While the timetable for rescheduling the House briefing remains uncertain, the Senate briefing is set for Thursday.

Thorp highlighted that this will mark the first comprehensive classified briefing since the U.S. strikes last weekend, involving all members of Congress rather than just a select group of leaders from intelligence committees.

— Christina Wilkie

Trump has stated in a new post on Truth Social that both Iran and Israel were eager for a ceasefire following over a week of escalating conflict.

“Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the war, equally! It was my great honor to destroy all nuclear facilities and capabilities, and then stop the war!” he asserted.

While U.S. airstrikes caused significant damage to three Iranian nuclear facilities, they did not eradicate Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. U.S. intelligence has acknowledged recent uncertainties regarding the storage locations of much of this material.

— Christina Wilkie