U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are espousing the benefits of legislation they have introduced to monitor highly enriched Iranian uranium production and possession.
The Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023 would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to notify Congress within 48 hours if Iran has produced or possesses any amount of highly enriched uranium greater than 60 percent purity, greatly decreasing the amount of time Iran would have to enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon without Congressional awareness.
“In most cases, knowledge is power,” Graham said. “There is no legitimate civilian purpose for Iran to have uranium enriched to this level – the only reason is for military purposes. This legislation will ensure that Congress is informed in a timely manner of advancements by Iran regarding their desire to build a nuclear weapon. I believe there is tremendous bipartisan support for this idea, and hope it becomes law as soon as possible.”
The legislation would also require subsequent congressional notification if any enrichment of any amount of uranium–235 to a purity percentage that is five percent higher than the purity percentage indicated in the prior notification to Congress occurs, or if any enrichment of uranium–235 in a quantity exceeding 10 kilograms occurs.
“Every minute counts when it comes to monitoring the dangerous advancements in Iran’s nuclear program,” Menendez, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, said. “The Iranian regime continues to push the limits with its enrichment, and we must be vigilant to ensure it never gets a nuclear weapon. This act will help ensure Congress is fully equipped with information about the developments of Iran’s nuclear program, and ensure the United States is able to respond to Iran’s provocations.”