By Cliff Montgomery – Mar. 9th, 2026
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have joined together to bomb Iran. Their excuse? Iran has been increasing its stock of 60% enriched uranium, a level of enrichment that is most commonly employed for military purposes. Therefore it was bound to use this more powerful stock to create weapons.
The problem is that a 60% enriched uranium does actually have a number of specialized peaceful uses:
- Digital Imaging For Medical Uses
A primary civilian use of a 60% enriched uranium may be found in the creation of medical radio-isotopes; this is especially true of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).
For instance, take the matter of digital imaging. Mo-99 breaks down over time to Technetium-99m – the preferred isotope of nuclear medicine, allowing the imaging of such organs as the lungs, heart and kidneys.
These days, it’s common for most countries to use a lower-grade uranium for such things – but the high-grade 60% enriched uranium ensures that more isotopes may be created with a smaller amount of material. In other words, the more powerful uranium may actually save Iran a fair deal of money in the long run, since the high-grade uranium may produce many more necessary images than the lower-grade material.
A full switch to low-grade enrichment would probably be a fairly expensive investment, and appears to cost nearly ten percent more than its high-grade equivalent.
That may be a vital issue for a country that has a sinking economy, thanks to the long-term economic sanctions placed on it by the U.S. and other nations. For instance, Iran’s per capita GDP has dropped significantly in just over a decade – from more than $8,000 in 2012, sanctions had slashed that number to about $5,000 in 2024.
It’s certainly more dangerous, but for Iran, a high-grade uranium may be the most affordable manner of providing those life-saving services right now.
- Testing of Materials and Research Reactors
Some top-notch Material Test Reactors (MTRs) employ 60% enriched uranium for the purpose of engaging in up-to-date scientific studies and experiments.
The Creation of Neutron Flux: A 60% enrichment level provides a greater flow of neutrons, a necessary tool for discovering how radiation affects materials over extended periods (i.e., accelerated aging tests).
Basic Scientific Properties: These same reactors are utilized to discover the essential atomic qualities of matter, and to create new substances for nuclear engineering and the rigors of aerospace.
Also, a high uranium enrichment of 60% is needed for compact reactors that are designed for specific purposes. These would include icebreakers and submarines, where small size and massive, long-term power are primary concerns.
Such small, powerful reactors are also used in satellites and other spacecraft.
- Physics Research
The highly-enriched forms of uranium also are used in what’s called “stepwise enrichment research.”
Producing uranium with a 60% enrichment is often used to verify centrifuge performance. It is also used to test physics models, such as the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) tests, which study the manner in which neutrons transfer through various materials.
Lastly, let’s remember a little matter that’s not being talked about much: The Iranians were ready to give Trump and Netanyahu everything they had a right to demand.
“Oman’s foreign minister said Friday that Iran is offering to give up stockpiling enriched uranium,” declared the Hill on Feb. 27th, “as part of a deal with the U.S. related to its nuclear program.”
“Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is serving as the mediator between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva,” added the news source.
Al-Busaidi added, in the event of a deal, multi-national nuclear inspectors might investigate and look at such nuclear facilities in Iran as the one in Isfahan, and personally review the stockpiles. It sounded like Iran was ready to give them all they wanted, to check any potential nuclear fears.
Trump ordered a bombing of Iran the very next day.
Al-Busaidi is not a fool, nor is he biased toward Iran. Both sides have agreed to have him mediate the Iran-U.S. talks. For years, he’s been known for his measured statements and sober analysis of tense situations. So if he says Iran was ready to make a deal, he has a proven record of faithfulness and trustworthiness.
Can the same be said of the Trump Administration?
The Guardian pointed out that when it comes to simply explaining why it began bombing Iran, “the Trump administration still hasn’t been able to land on one coherent answer.”
“Some contradict each other, and some contradict Donald Trump himself. Some – delivered hours apart by senior officials – are flatly incompatible.”
We may safely call such shifting rationales untrustworthy.
