Rubio: Iran may have enough enriched uranium to be a "threshold" nuclear state; supports civilian nuclear power but not enrichment

Secretary Marco Rubio told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that Iran has amassed "about 600 pounds of highly enriched uranium at 60%" purity and warned that the stockpile could be pushed toward weapons capability if enrichment were allowed to continue. Rubio said he would not oppose civilian nuclear power under "1, 2, 3" agreements if Tehran dismantled enrichment that could enable a weapon.

Nut graf: Rubio framed his position as permitting peaceful nuclear energy while opposing any capability that could produce a weapon. He cited technical details about Iran's enrichment levels and the presence of a reactor whose fuel is provided by Russia.

Rubio said of Iranian nuclear activities: "As secretary Rubio indicated, I do not mind the Iranian regime having nuclear power. I mind them having the capability to make a bomb." He added that Iran’s stockpile is being accumulated and that "civilian nuclear power, yes. Enrichment, no."

Ending: Senators pressed Rubio about possible diplomatic approaches; Rubio and several senators said any agreement should remove enrichment capability that could lead to a weapon.