Nuclear Expert: Iran Could Easily Move Enriched Uranium in Car Trunks

WASHINGTON – A leading nuclear expert has revealed that Iran could easily transport highly enriched uranium, potentially in a vehicle's trunk, raising new concerns about the nation's nuclear program. James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, shared his insights on NBC News's "Here's the Scoop" podcast. Acton explained that the highly enriched uranium produced in centrifuge plants is in a form called uranium hexafluoride, stored in small cylinders similar in size and shape to scuba tanks. "This is stored in small cylinders that are roughly the same size and shape as scuba tanks," Acton stated. He emphasized the simplicity of moving such material, noting, "It could literally be as simple, in the words of the IAEA director general, as like putting these cylinders in the back of cars and potentially dispersing them around the country." Reports, including statements from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general, suggest that Iran may have already moved some of this enriched uranium from its facilities before recent U.S. strikes commenced. This development underscores the challenges of monitoring and controlling nuclear materials.