Netanyahu Says Iran’s Enriched Uranium Must Be Removed Before War Can End – US Aid Reduction Also Urged

<p><strong>Benjamin Netanyahu</strong> told CBS’s “60 Minutes” on <strong>May 10, 2026</strong> that the ongoing <strong>U.S.-Israeli war against Iran</strong> cannot be declared over until Iran’s stockpile of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Enriched uranium – uranium whose isotope U‑235 concentration is increased for use in nuclear weapons or reactors; a central issue in non‑proliferation debates (GS3: Science & Tech)">enriched uranium</span> and its <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nuclear enrichment sites – facilities where uranium is processed to increase the proportion of fissile isotope U‑235, crucial for nuclear weapons development (GS3: Science & Tech)">enrichment sites</span> are taken out of the country.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Netanyahu emphasized that physical removal of the uranium is feasible, but prefers an agreement rather than a military operation.</li> <li>He reiterated his request to <span class="key-term" data-definition="U.S. aid – financial and military assistance provided by the United States to allied nations; Israel receives about $3.8 billion annually, a point of strategic and fiscal debate (GS2: Polity)">U.S. aid</span> for Israel be phased down to zero over the next decade.</li> <li>President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> publicly claimed Iran is “militarily defeated” and that the uranium can be seized “whenever we want,” a stance that differs from his private conversation with Netanyahu.</li> <li>Netanyahu listed remaining war aims: dismantling Iran‑backed <span class="key-term" data-definition="Proxy groups – militias or political movements supported by a state to extend its influence, e.g., Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis backed by Iran (GS2: Polity)">proxy groups</span>, halting ballistic missile production, and curbing Chinese assistance.</li> <li>He acknowledged <span class="key-term" data-definition="China’s support – assistance provided by the People’s Republic of China to Iran, including components for missile manufacturing, reflecting geopolitical alignments (GS2: Polity)">China’s support</span> to Iran’s missile programme.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The war, which began after Israel’s pre‑emptive strikes on Iranian facilities, has left Iran with undisclosed quantities of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Enriched uranium – uranium whose isotope U‑235 concentration is increased for use in nuclear weapons or reactors; a central issue in non‑proliferation debates (GS3: Science & Tech)">enriched uranium</span>. Netanyahu said the removal could be “physically” done, but the political and diplomatic pathway remains unclear. He also noted that Iran continues to support regional militias and is pursuing <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ballistic missiles – guided weapons that travel in a high‑arc trajectory, capable of delivering conventional or nuclear warheads over long distances (GS3: Science & Tech)">ballistic missiles</span>, despite recent degradation of some capabilities.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the nuclear non‑proliferation challenge (GS3) and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East (GS2) is essential for the UPSC syllabus. The issue illustrates:</p> <ul> <li>Strategic implications of nuclear material removal and verification mechanisms.</li> <li>India’s own stance on nuclear disarmament and the role of international bodies like the IAEA.</li> <li>Impact of foreign military aid on bilateral relations and domestic fiscal priorities.</li> <li>The nexus between great‑power competition (U.S. vs. China) and regional security architectures.</li> </ul> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Analysts suggest three possible routes:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Diplomatic agreement</strong>: A multilateral deal involving the U.N., the U.S., Israel, and Iran to supervise the extraction and secure transport of the uranium.</li> <li><strong>Covert operation</strong>: A limited, intelligence‑driven raid to seize the material, though Netanyahu declined to discuss specifics.</li> <li><strong>Gradual disengagement</strong>: Phasing out U.S. aid to Israel while encouraging regional dialogue to reduce Iran’s proxy influence.</li> </ol> <p>For UPSC aspirants, tracking how these options evolve will aid in answering essay and GS2 questions on international security, nuclear policy, and Indo‑U.S. strategic ties.</p>