Expansion of Iran's uranium, approaching weapons-grade level, reported by nuclear monitoring agency
Iran Increases Uranium Stockpile Amid Nuclear Talks
Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released on Saturday. The report underscores the urgency for Tehran to comply with the probe and reconsider its nuclear activities.
As Iran and the United States hold talks over a potential nuclear deal, the latest IAEA report comes at a sensitive time. As of May 17, Iran has amassed 900.8 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking a 49.6% increase since the IAEA's last report in February. This 60% enriched material is a short step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The stockpile at the end of February stood at 605.8 pounds.
The new IAEA report calls attention to the fact that Iran is "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material," a concern raised by the agency. Approximately 92.5 pounds of 60% enriched uranium could theoretically be used to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90%, according to the watchdog.
No immediate comment was made by Tehran regarding the new IAEA report.
The report also indicates Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium, including lower levels, had risen to 20,387.4 pounds, a 2,101.4-pound increase since February.
The IAEA report emphasizes concerns about the short-term proliferation implications associated with Iran's continued enrichment activities. The agency reiterates its call for Iran to cooperate fully and effectively with the ongoing investigation into uranium traces found at several sites in Iran.
Meanwhile, US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has sent a "detailed and acceptable proposal" to Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday night. However, details of the proposal will not be disclosed to protect the ongoing deal negotiations.
As tensions rise around Iran's nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement Saturday, emphasizing Iran's total commitment to completing its nuclear weapons program and calling for immediate action from the international community.
Tehran, Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran Nuclear Program
Background: Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, the IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi has stated that Iran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to produce multiple nuclear bombs if it chooses to do so.
IAEA Investigation, Undeclared Locations, Turkishabad, Varamin, Marivan, Lavisan-Shian
While the IAEA has been investigating Iran's nuclear activities for years, it has faced challenges related to Iran’s cooperation and access to certain locations. In a second 22-page confidential report released on Saturday, the IAEA expressed concerns over Iran's less than satisfactory cooperation concerning uranium traces discovered by IAEA inspectors at several locations in Iran, which Tehran had failed to declare as nuclear sites.
- Amidst escalating concerns over Iran's nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released a report detailing Iran's increased stockpile of uranium, a matter of grave concern for the global community.
- The IAEA report highlights the discrepancies in Tehran's cooperation, as Iran has failed to declare several locations with undeclared nuclear activities, including Turkishabad, Varamin, Marivan, and Lavisan-Shian.
- As the world grapples with various global issues such as politics, news, medical-conditions, war-and-conflicts, and general-news, the IAEA's report on Iran's nuclear program underscores the critical need for transparency and full cooperation from Iran in regards to its nuclear activities.
