Oil Markets Steady as Experts Refute White House's Dire Iran Nuclear Warnings

Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade. While U.S. intelligence estimates suggest Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb in under a week if it chose to, and build a device in three to eight months, there is no current indication that Iran has decided to pursue nuclear weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not seen evidence of Iran working towards a weapon, and Iran maintains its program is peaceful. Previous U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites caused severe but not total damage, and Iran has since resumed enriching uranium and suspended cooperation with the IAEA at struck sites.

The article also touches on the history of Iran's nuclear program, including its past structured program until 2003, the JCPOA deal, and the U.S. withdrawal from it.