Steve Witkoff, the United States special envoy for Middle East peace under President Donald Trump, has issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by Iran’s rapidly expanding uranium stockpile. Speaking during a televised interview on March 10, 2026, Witkoff stated that the level of enrichment Iran has already achieved could allow the regime to quickly assemble a radiological weapon, often referred to as a “dirty bomb.” According to the envoy, the technical barrier to producing such a device would be relatively low if Iran chose to pursue that path.

During the interview, Witkoff argued that a stockpile of uranium enriched to that level presents a serious proliferation risk. He stated that even without reaching the 90 percent enrichment commonly associated with nuclear weapons, the material could still be used in a radiological device capable of spreading radioactive contamination across a wide area. Such a weapon does not rely on a nuclear explosion but instead disperses radioactive material using conventional explosives, potentially causing widespread panic and long-term environmental damage.

The envoy’s warning comes after a series of unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities. Talks intended to revive or replace previous nuclear agreements have repeatedly stalled amid disagreements over sanctions relief, inspection protocols, and Iran’s ongoing enrichment activities. According to reports cited by several officials involved in the negotiations, Iranian representatives claimed during discussions that the country possesses enough enriched material to potentially produce multiple nuclear weapons if it chose to pursue that route.

These developments contributed to the heightened tensions that culminated in U.S. military strikes earlier in March 2026 targeting Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure. American officials described those operations as a preventive effort designed to disrupt facilities associated with uranium enrichment and ballistic missile development. The strikes were carried out following intelligence assessments that suggested Iran’s nuclear program was advancing more rapidly than previously anticipated.