Latest news with #RafaelGrossi
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
UN nuclear watchdog flags Iran's growing uranium stockpile amid talks with US
Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN's nuclear watchdog revealed Saturday, urging Tehran to urgently change course and cooperate with ongoing investigations. The report, seen by the Associated Press, comes amid several rounds of quiet talks between Tehran and Washington over a possible nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump is trying to finalise. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of May 17, Iran has accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent—a 50 per cent rise from February's 274.8 kilograms. This level is just a technical step away from the 90 per cent enrichment needed for nuclear weapons. The IAEA warned that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material'— a development it described as a 'serious concern.' The agency noted that it is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined as 'approximately 42 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium' is enough, if further enriched, to produce one atomic bomb. Though Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has previously warned that the country now possesses enough enriched uranium to potentially make 'several' nuclear bombs. Meanwhile, US intelligence assessments say Iran has not yet launched a weapons programme but has 'undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so,' AP reported. Grossi on Saturday reiterated his 'urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively' with the IAEA's years-long investigation into unexplained uranium traces found at several undeclared sites. A second 22-page report, also shared confidentially with member states, criticised Iran's cooperation as 'less than satisfactory' and cited continuing concerns over locations where uranium particles were detected. These include Turquzabad, Varamin, and Marivan—sites the IAEA believes were linked to a 'structured nuclear programme' carried out until the early 2000s using undeclared nuclear material. One of these locations, Turquzabad, was first revealed in 2018 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described it as a 'clandestine nuclear warehouse' disguised as a rug-cleaning facility. Iran denied the claim, but IAEA inspectors later found manmade uranium particles there. A fourth site, Lavisan-Shian, which was demolished by Iran after 2003, remains part of the IAEA's probe despite never being inspected. The report could prompt further action from European countries, potentially including the reimposition of snapback sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, which is set to formally expire in October. Iranian officials have downplayed expectations of a deal. On Thursday, senior figures in Tehran said any agreement must involve the full lifting of sanctions and permit continued nuclear development. Their remarks followed President Trump's comment that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to delay any strike on Iran, giving Washington more time to pursue diplomacy. Trump said on Friday that he still believes a deal is possible in the 'not too distant future.' 'They don't want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal,' he said of Iran. He added, 'That would be a great thing that we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East.' However, Israel on Saturday accused Iran of being 'totally determined' to acquire nuclear weapons. 'Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever,' said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran's opposition to nuclear arms. 'If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,' Araghchi, who is also Iran's lead negotiator in the US-Iran talks, said in a televised speech, as per BBC. 'We agree with them on this issue.' (With inputs from Associated Press, BBC, Reuters)
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iran boosting enriched Uranium stockpiles, U.N. nuclear watchdog says
May 31 (UPI) -- Iran has increased production of highly enriched uranium, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, as the nation conducts talks with the United States on a nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Middle East country now possesses more than 408.6 kilograms, or 900 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity as of May 17, according to a confidential report obtained by the BBC and Al Jazeera. That's a nearly 50% increase since February. In December, the IAEA said Iran was rapidly moving closer to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material. This is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined. Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. "The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran ... is of serious concern," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said. IAEA concluded that Tehran conducted nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, Turquzabad. And IAEA stated said it "cannot verify" the development of nuclear weapons, citing Iran's refusal to grant access to senior inspectors and not answer questions about its nuclear history. The IAEA board plans to meet in the coming days to discuss next steps. Iran has long said its nuclear enrichment is for peaceful purposes. "If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised speech. "We agree with them on this issue." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday in a statement that Iran is "totally determined" to acquire nuclear weapons. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever," Netanyahu's office said. U.S. officials estimate Ian could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months. Since talks began in April, both sides have expressed optimism but are divided over key issues, including whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement. Two of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisors -- Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi -- have suggested Iran might reconsider building nuclear weapons if international pressure mounts. The IAEA findings could be a negotiation tool for Iran, Hamed Mousavi, professor of political science at Tehran University, told Al Jazeera. "I think both sides are trying to build leverage against the other side," he said. "From the Iranian perspective, an advancement in the nuclear program is going to bring them leverage at the negotiation table with the Americans. "Enriching up to 60% - from the Iranian perspective - is a sort of leverage against the Americans to lift sanctions." He said the U.S. could threaten more sanctions and refer the situation to the U.N. Security Council for its breach of the 2006 non-proliferation agreement. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of labs and inspections. Iran has rejected inspections. He said a deal is "very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed." In 2018, Trump unilaterally exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and reimposed harsh sanctions. In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union. Some sanctions on Iran were lifted for limits on its nuclear development program.
UPI
4 hours ago
- Business
- UPI
Iran boosting enriched Uranium stockpiles, U.N. nuclear watchdog says
This is a view in 2010 of Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran. File photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/EFE May 31 (UPI) -- Iran has increased production of highly enriched uranium, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, as the nation conducts talks with the United States on a nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Middle East country now possesses more than 408.6 kilograms, or 900 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity as of May 17, according to a confidential report obtained by the BBC and Al Jazeera. That's a nearly 50% increase since February. In December, the IAEA said Iran was rapidly moving closer to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material. This is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined. Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. "The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran ... is of serious concern," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said. IAEA concluded that Tehran conducted nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, Turquzabad. And IAEA stated said it "cannot verify" the development of nuclear weapons, citing Iran's refusal to grant access to senior inspectors and not answer questions about its nuclear history. The IAEA board plans to meet in the coming days to discuss next steps. Iran has long said its nuclear enrichment is for peaceful purposes. "If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised speech. "We agree with them on this issue." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday in a statement that Iran is "totally determined" to acquire nuclear weapons. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever," Netanyahu's office said. U.S. officials estimate Ian could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months. Since talks began in April, both sides have expressed optimism but are divided over key issues, including whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement. Two of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisors -- Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi -- have suggested Iran might reconsider building nuclear weapons if international pressure mounts. The IAEA findings could be a negotiation tool for Iran, Hamed Mousavi, professor of political science at Tehran University, told Al Jazeera. "I think both sides are trying to build leverage against the other side," he said. "From the Iranian perspective, an advancement in the nuclear program is going to bring them leverage at the negotiation table with the Americans. "Enriching up to 60% - from the Iranian perspective - is a sort of leverage against the Americans to lift sanctions." He said the U.S. could threaten more sanctions and refer the situation to the U.N. Security Council for its breach of the 2006 non-proliferation agreement. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of labs and inspections. Iran has rejected inspections. He said a deal is "very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed." In 2018, Trump unilaterally exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and reimposed harsh sanctions. In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union. Some sanctions on Iran were lifted for limits on its nuclear development program.
Euronews
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Hamas responds to US proposal by demanding permanent Gaza ceasefire
Hamas says it has responded to a US proposal for a temporary ceasefire, which Israeli officials have approved, but details of the response were not immediately known. In its response, Hamas reiterated previously stated demands for "a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip," none of which were included in the original draft proposal by the US. In a statement, Hamas said 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased ones would be released in exchange for "an agreed upon number of Palestinian prisoners." According to the initial US proposal, the fighting would stop for 60 days and see the release of some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. It makes no explicit guarantee of a permanent end to the war. This story is ongoing and will be updated further by our journalists. Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog has revealed. In a separate report, the agency called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with its years-long probe. The report comes at a sensitive time, as the administration of US President Donald Trump seeks to reach a deal with Tehran to limit its nuclear program. The two sides have held several rounds of talks, so far without agreement. The report by the Vienna-based IAEA — which has been seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%. That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms — or almost 50% — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60% enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kilograms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the new IAEA report. The IAEA report issued a stern warning, saying that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material" — something the agency said was of "serious concern.' Approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90%, according to the watchdog. The IAEA report, a quarterly, also estimated that as of May 17, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium — which includes uranium enriched to lower levels — stood at 9,247.6 kilograms. That's an increase of 953.2 kilograms since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make "several" nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. Iranian officials have increasingly suggested that Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has 'undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.' Israel said the report was a clear warning sign that "Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program,' according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. It said IAEA's report 'strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful.' It also added that Iran's level of enrichment 'has no civilian justification whatsoever' and appealed on the international community to 'act now to stop Iran.' It is rare for Netanyahu to make statements on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest, underlying the urgency of the matter. Grossi said Saturday that he 'reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively' with the IAEA's years long investigation into uranium traces discovered at several sites in Iran. The IAEA also circulated to member states on Saturday a second, 22-page confidential report, also seen by the AP, that Grossi was asked to produce following a resolution passed by the IAEA board of governors last November. In this so-called 'comprehensive report,' the IAEA said that Iran's cooperation with the agency has "been less than satisfactory' when it comes to uranium traces discovered by IAEA inspectors at several locations in Iran that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Western officials suspect that the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018 after Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied this but in 2019 IAEA inspectors detected the presence of manmade uranium particles there. After initially blocking IAEA access, inspectors were able to collect samples in 2020 from two other locations where they also detected the presence of manmade uranium particles. The three locations became known as Turquzabad, Varamin, and Marivan. A fourth undeclared location named as Lavisan-Shian is also part of the IAEA probe but IAEA inspectors never visited the site because it was razed and demolished by Iran after 2003. In Saturday's comprehensive report, the IAEA says that the 'lack of answers and clarifications provided by Iran" to questions the watchdog had regarding Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Marivan "has led the agency to conclude that these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material.' On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. The comments came a day after President Trump said he told Israeli Prime MInister Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the US administration more time to push for a new deal with Tehran. Trump said on Friday that he still thinks a deal could be completed in the 'not too distant future.' 'They don't want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal,' Trump said of Iran. He added, 'That would be a great thing that we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Iran significantly growing uranium stockpile, warns UN nuclear agency
Iran has further stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium, according to the UN nuclear watchdog. In a confidential report seen by the BBC, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran now possesses over 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity - well above the level used for civilian purposes and close to weapons grade, and a near 50% increase in three months. It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined, making Iran the only non nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. Iran has long said its programme is peaceful. But the IAEA said it could not confirm whether it remains so. Iran has produced highly enriched uranium at a rate equivalent to roughly one nuclear weapon per month over the past three months during the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. "The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran... is of serious concern," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Following the IAEA report, Israel on Saturday accused Iran of being "totally determined" to acquire nuclear weapons. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Tehran considers nuclear weapons "unacceptable". "If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable," Araghchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the US-Iran talks, said in a televised speech. "We agree with them on this issue." What is Iran's nuclear programme and what does the US want? Iran's uranium enrichment 'worrisome' - nuclear watchdog Can Trump convince Iran to ditch its nuclear programme? US officials estimate that, if Iran chooses to pursue a weapon, it could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months. The IAEA's latest assessment, longer and more comprehensive than usual, also details troubling findings about Iran's past nuclear work. It concluded that Tehran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Turquzabad. Despite ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington over a potential new nuclear deal, the report offered no indication that Iran has slowed its enrichment efforts. Talks have been under way since April, with both sides expressing optimism but remaining divided over key issues - chief among them, whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and has long denied accusations it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. However, the IAEA stated that it "cannot verify" this, citing Iran's refusal to grant access to senior inspectors and its failure to answer longstanding questions about its nuclear history. In recent months, two of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisors - Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi - have suggested Iran might reconsider its long-standing position against building nuclear weapons if international pressure intensifies. Such statements have raised alarm among Western diplomats, who fear Iran is edging closer to becoming a nuclear threshold state. The IAEA board is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss next steps, amid mounting international pressure on Tehran to fully cooperate with inspections and return to compliance with nuclear non-proliferation norms. The report is likely to lead to Iran being referred to the UN Security Council, though that would probably happen at a later IAEA board meeting, diplomats told the Reuters news agency. What is Iran's nuclear programme and what does the US want? Can Trump convince Iran to ditch its nuclear programme? US to hold direct nuclear talks with Iran, Trump says
