The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear oversight body, announced on Saturday that Iran has accumulated uranium close to weapons-grade levels, urging Tehran to urgently alter its course. In response to the report, Israel called on the international community to take swift action to curb Iran's activities.
This report emerges at a critical moment, as Tehran and Washington have engaged in multiple rounds of discussions in recent weeks regarding a potential nuclear agreement that U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to establish.
Additionally, Iran is suspected of having conducted undisclosed nuclear activities at three sites in the past. The report indicated that "these three locations, along with other potentially related sites, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program implemented by Iran until the early 2000s, with some activities involving undeclared nuclear material."
“The Agency has determined that Iran did not disclose nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three undisclosed sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad,” the report stated.
WHAT DOES THE REPORT REVEAL?
According to the UN watchdog's findings, Iran possesses a stockpile of 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent. This marks an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds), or nearly 50%, since the IAEA's previous report in February. The 60% enriched uranium is only a short technical step away from reaching weapons-grade levels of 90%. In February, the reported stockpile was 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds).
The report indicates that Iran is now “the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material,” which the agency described as a “serious concern.” The UN watchdog noted that, theoretically, 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent could be enough to create one atomic bomb if further refined to the 90 percent weapons-grade level.
Currently, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium totals 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds), reflecting an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since the report in February. Additionally, Donald Trump has hinted at a potential surprise US-Iran nuclear deal, cautioning Netanyahu not to undermine the negotiations.
In response to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The international community must take immediate action to halt Iran.” He highlighted that the level of uranium enrichment reached by Iran is characteristic of nations that are actively pursuing nuclear weapons and serves no legitimate civilian purpose.
