President Donald Trump’s new Iran framework is drawing warnings from nuclear experts who say the deal could leave Tehran too much control over its uranium stockpile unless inspectors first locate, secure and verify the material.The concern centers on language in the reported U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) saying the two sides will resolve the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile through a still-to-be-negotiated process.The MOU identifies on-site "downblending," which means diluting enriched uranium so it is less usable for a nuclear weapon, under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision as the minimum acceptable method for dealing with the material. The MOU does not explicitly say Iran will retain a civilian nuclear program, but it says the two sides will discuss enrichment and other matters related to Iran’s "nuclear needs" in a final deal."Unfettered verification is everything," Chuck DeVore, Chief National Initiatives Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told Fox News Digital.
"There can be no denial for teams to inspect on the ground.Remote, technological means can achieve a lot, but nothing beats in-person inspections."TRUMP NUCLEAR TALKS FACE DEFINING QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENS TO IRAN’S URANIUM STOCKPILE?A composite image shows President Donald Trump alongside a missile launch with the Iranian flag in the background.
Nuclear experts are warning that Trump’s reported Iran framework could leave Tehran too much control over its uranium stockpile unless inspectors first fully account for and secure the material.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)The warnings from experts come as the MOU has already been signed, while planned follow-up talks in Switzerland aimed at launching technical negotiations were postponed Friday.
The delay leaves key nuclear details unresolved as the agreement begins a 60-day window for negotiating a final deal.IAEA supervision would only be meaningful if inspectors first regain enough access to...