Iran's Latest Nuclear Weapons Progress

Wall Street Journal

2 days ago

Which is more troubling—what we know about Iran's nuclear program or what we don't know? Two new reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) underscore Iran's unceasing pursuit of nuclear weapons and longtime deception about its efforts.
The IAEA is the United Nations nuclear watchdog, and its new reports were prepared in advance of a board meeting. In the past, Iran would slow its uranium enrichment before IAEA meetings and escape with a slap on the wrist. This time the Iranians haven't bothered with the charade. They've increased their stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium by about half since early February, the IAEA finds, amassing enough for 10 nuclear weapons. Note that this is since President Trump took office.
Iran is the only state without nukes to produce 60%-enriched uranium, which is a stone's throw from weapons-grade and well beyond the levels required for civilian energy or research. The only reason to enrich to that level is for nuclear bombs, and Iran has been adding one bomb's worth of fissile material a month.
A second IAEA report details Iran's noncompliance with an investigation into its undeclared nuclear material. Under its safeguards agreement, part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is obligated to account fully for its nuclear material and activities.