IAEA: Iranian output of near weapons-grade uranium rising sharply
Tehran now has almost 409 kilograms of uranium with a purity of 60% - a rise of some 49% since the IAEA's quarterly assessment in February, the Vienna-based watchdog said in a report to member states, parts of which were cited by media on Saturday.
According to diplomatic sources, around 42 kilograms would be enough for a nuclear weapon if this uranium were enriched to 90%.
In a second report on Tehran's lack of co-operation with his organization, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Iran had previously concealed nuclear activities and materials at three facilities.
The investigations had been obstructed, Grossi added, with Iran failing to respond to inquiries or answering in an untrustworthy manner. Additionally, traces of non-compliance appear to have been covered up, he said.
Grossi had commented on these disputed activities in earlier reports. After the IAEA board of governors commissioned his authority to produce a new and more comprehensive report in November 2024, he summarized the findings more clearly than usual.
The new report could prompt the board to in future refer Iran's violations of inspection agreements with the IAEA to the UN Security Council.
Britain, France and Germany are among countries that have raised possible renewed sanctions at the United Nations in this context.
The United States has been negotiating with Iran since April. Washington aims to rein in Iran's nuclear programme because, like other states, it fears this will result in the production of nuclear weapons.
Tehran denies this and insists on its right to utilize nuclear energy for civilian purposes.
During his first term in office in 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear pact, which was intended to restrict Iran's nuclear programme and lift sanctions in return. Tehran then also no longer adhered to the agreement.
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