International monitoring agency confirms Iran's accumulation of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade standards.
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Iran has pushed its uranium stockpile close to weapons-grade levels and has secretly performed nuclear activities, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A report by the Vienna-based IAEA, released on May 17, 2025, revealed that Iran now possesses 408.6kg of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking an increase of 133.8kg since the IAEA's February 2025 report. With a slight technical adjustment, this stockpile could reach the weapons-grade level of 90%.
In a stern warning, the IAEA labeled Iran as the "sole non-nuclear-weapon state" to produce such highly-enriched uranium, considering this a serious concern. IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that Iran has amassed enough uranium enriched near-weapons grade to manufacture "several" nuclear bombs, should they choose to do so.
Further findings from a separate IAEA report suggested that Iran may have conducted clandestine experiments at two to four sites. The agency concluded that these sites were part of an undeclared nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities involved undeclared nuclear material.
While Iran has maintained that it seeks to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, IAEA cooperation with the country remains "insufficient," the report stated.
The tensions stemming from these reports could lead to Iran being referred to the United Nations Security Council, reimplementation of sanctions by European countries that were lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, and complications in the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office characterized the IAEA report as a clear signal that "Iran is determined to complete its nuclear weapons program." They also claimed that the IAEA's report "reinforces what Israel has been saying for years: the goal of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful."
Despite the alarming findings, diplomatic efforts continue as Donald Trump has stated that he hopes to reach a nuclear deal with Iran "in the not too distant future." "They don't want to be destroyed. They would rather make a deal," Trump said. "It would be great if we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East."
- The escalating nuclear activities in Iran, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have raised concerns in the field of science, politics, and general news, with some fearing this could lead to a potential war.
- With Iran approaching weapons-grade uranium levels and engaging in secret nuclear activities, sanctions may be re-imposed by European countries as tensions escalate, potentially impacting medical-conditions and other economic aspects.
- As the international community grapples with Iran's nuclear program, diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States are ongoing, influenced not only by nuclear science but also by complex politics and general news events.
