Iran further increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels in defiance of international demands, according to a confidential report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog cited by the news agency. AP.
The report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)headed by Rafael Grossi, indicated that, until October 26, Iran possessed 182.3 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kg since the last report in August.
He uranium enriched to 60% purity is just one technical step away from 90 percent weapons-grade levels.
The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of October 26, Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium amounts to 6,604.4 kg, an increase of 852.6 kg since the last report in August. According to the IAEA definition, about 42 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity is the amount with which it is theoretically possible to create an atomic weapon, if the material is enriched further, to 90 percent.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has previously warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to levels close to weapons grade to make “several” nuclear bombs if it so chose. The official has acknowledged that the UN agency cannot guarantee that any of the Iranian centrifuges will be used for clandestine uranium enrichment.
The IAEA also reported that Iran has not taken concrete steps so far to improve cooperation, despite calls from Grossi, who visited Iran last week for talks with Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the foreign minister. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the reformist president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian.
However, the IAEA said in its report that during the meetings, “The possibility of Iran not further expanding its stockpile of enriched uranium up to 60% U-235 was discussed, including the technical verification measures necessary for the agency to confirm this, if implemented”.
The report noted that one day after Director General Grossi left Iran, on November 16, IAEA inspectors verified that “Iran had begun the implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the increase in its stockpile of enriched uranium.” up to 60% U-235″ at its underground nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.
Tuesday’s confidential report also mentioned that during Grossi’s visit to Iran on November 14, “Iran agreed to respond to the agency’s concerns related to the withdrawal of the designation of several experienced agency inspectors considering the acceptance of the appointment of four additional experienced inspectors.”
In September 2023, Iran banned some of the Vienna-based agency’s most experienced inspectors.
The report also stated that there has been no progress so far in reinstalling more monitoring equipment, including cameras, removed in June 2022, which also has “detrimental implications for the agency’s ability to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of the program.” Iran’s nuclear
Since then, the only data recorded is from the agency’s cameras installed in a centrifuge workshop in Isfahan in May 2023, although Iran has not provided the IAEA with access to this data and inspectors have not been able to service the cameras.
(with information from AP)
