Latest news with #RafaelMarianoGrossi
Egypt Independent
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
IAEA report spells out past secret nuclear activities in Iran
Vienna, Austria Reuters — Iran carried out secret nuclear activities with material not declared to the UN nuclear watchdog at three locations that have long been under investigation, the watchdog said in a wide-ranging, confidential report to member states seen by Reuters. The findings in the 'comprehensive' International Atomic Energy Agency report requested by the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors in November pave the way for a push by the United States, Britain, France and Germany for the board to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations. A resolution would infuriate Iran and could further complicate nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. Using the IAEA report's findings, the four Western powers plan to submit a draft resolution for the board to adopt at its next meeting the week of June 9, diplomats say. It would be the first time in almost 20 years Iran has formally been found in non-compliance. Iran's foreign ministry and the Iranian nuclear agency rejected the report, calling it 'politically motivated' in a joint statement. They said Tehran will take 'appropriate measures' in response to any effort to take action against the country at the Board of Governors meeting, state media reported, without elaborating. Tehran says it wants to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and has long denied accusations by Western powers that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. While many of the findings relate to activities dating back decades and have been made before, the IAEA report's conclusions were more definitive. It summarized developments in recent years and pointed more clearly towards coordinated, secret activities, some of which were relevant to producing nuclear weapons. It also spelled out that Iran's cooperation with IAEA continues to be 'less than satisfactory' in 'a number of respects.' The IAEA is still seeking explanations for uranium traces found years ago at two of four sites it has been investigating. Three hosted secret experiments, it found. International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks to media on February 19, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP via Getty Images The IAEA has concluded 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,' the report said. Nuclear material and/or heavily contaminated equipment from that program was stored at the fourth site, Turquzabad, between 2009 and 2018, it said. 'The Agency concludes that Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three undeclared locations in Iran, specifically, Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad,' the report said. At Lavisan-Shian in Tehran, a disc made of uranium metal was 'used in the production of explosively-driven neutron sources' at least twice in 2003, a process designed to initiate the explosion in a nuclear weapon, the report said, adding that it was part of 'small-scale' tests. 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 said. More immediately, it is likely to lead to Iran again accelerating or expanding its rapidly advancing nuclear program, as it has done after previous rebukes at the board. It could also further complicate talks with the United States aimed at reining in that program. Uranium enrichment A separate IAEA report sent to member states on Saturday said Iran's stock of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons grade, had grown by roughly half to 408.6 kg. That is enough, if enriched further, for nine nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick. Both IAEA reports said enrichment to such a high level was 'of serious concern' since it is the only country to do so without producing nuclear weapons. Israel, which has long urged strong action against Iran's nuclear program, said the IAEA report showed Tehran was determined to complete its nuclear weapons program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the world should act now to stop Iran from doing this. US intelligence agencies and the IAEA have long believed Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons program that it halted in 2003. Iran denies ever having had one. Separately on Saturday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his Omani counterpart presented elements of a US proposal for a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington during a short visit to Tehran. Araqchi said in a post on X that Iran 'will respond to the US proposal in line with the principles, national interests and rights of people of Iran.' His statement came ahead of an anticipated sixth round of talks between Washington and Tehran. The date and venue of talks have not yet been announced.
Toronto Star
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
After report about Iran's increasing uranium stockpiles, Iranian FM stresses Iran's cooperation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Iranian Foreign Minister spoke by phone with the director of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency early Sunday morning after a report from the agency said Iran is further increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Writing on Telegram, Abbas Araghchi said he stressed Iran's 'continuous cooperation' in his conversation with Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA did not immediately return a request for comment about the phone call.
Korea Herald
21 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
VIENNA (AP) — Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday. In a separate report, the agency called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with its yearslong 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 International Atomic Energy Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent. That's an increase of 133.8 kg — or almost 50 percent — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60 percent enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kg. The IAEA report raised 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 kg of 60 percent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90 percent, 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 kg. That's an increase of 953.2 kg since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano 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.' Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a joint statement that the IAEA report was based on 'unreliable and differing information sources' and accused it of being biased, unprofessional and lacking crucial, updated information. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its disappointment about the report, which was prepared by imposing pressure on the agency for political purposes, and expresses its obvious objection about its content,' the statement read. The statement reiterated that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, issued a religious decree that nuclear weapons would not be part of the country's defense arsenal. However, Iran stressed that under international law, the country has a right to a peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment. The statement said the uranium enrichment was under 'transparent' monitoring by the IAEA, which the IAEA denies. The statement also accused the IAEA of turning a blind eye toward the US' 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating the US-Iran talks was in Tehran on Saturday to present the latest US proposal for ongoing talks, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the US has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have strained relations for almost 50 years. The fifth round of talks between the US and Iran concluded in Rome last week with 'some but not conclusive progress,' al-Busaidi said at the time. Israel said Saturday's 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 with which he sees 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 35-member IAEA Board of Governors in 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 UN 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 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.' Saturday's comprehensive report could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, leading to a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. European countries could move to trigger snap-back sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal ahead of October, when the deal formally expires. On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the US, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. The comments came a day after Trump said he has told Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the US administration more time to push for a new deal with Tehran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. 'Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it,' she said. "Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.' ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Melanie Lidman in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.
India Today
21 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Iran one step from using enriched uranium for nukes: UN watchdog report
Iran has significantly expanded its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), seen by the Associated Press. The IAEA also urged Tehran to urgently alter its course and cooperate with the agency's long-running investigation into its nuclear IAEA report, released Saturday, arrives at a diplomatically delicate moment. US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking a deal with Tehran to rein in its nuclear program, but several rounds of negotiations between the two sides have so far failed to yield a to news agency AP, the Vienna-based IAEA reported that as of May 17, Iran had amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. This marks an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — nearly per cent, since the agency's previous quarterly report in February. The AP notes that '60 per cent enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.'WHAT'S INSIDE THE REPORT The report emphasised that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material,' which the agency described as a matter of 'serious concern.' The IAEA also pointed out that 'approximately 42 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90 per cent.'Citing the IAEA from a confidential report, the BBC reported that Iran saw an alarming 50 per cent increase in uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity in the last three watchdog further estimated that Iran's total stockpile of enriched uranium, including lower enrichment levels, had reached 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds), reflecting an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is purely peaceful, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has warned that the stockpile is sufficient to produce 'several' nuclear bombs if Iran chooses to pushed back forcefully against the report. In a joint statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran rejected the findings, accusing the agency of relying on 'unreliable and differing information sources' and said the report was 'biased, unprofessional and lacking crucial, updated information.''The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its disappointment about the report, which was prepared by imposing pressure on the agency for political purposes, and expresses its obvious objection about its content,' the statement said. It also reiterated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a religious decree prohibiting nuclear further criticized the IAEA for failing to acknowledge the impact of the US's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, a decision made by the Trump administration, which Tehran sees as the root cause of the current nuclear IAEA has also raised questions about past undeclared activities at three sites believed to be part of a structured nuclear weapons program Iran allegedly ran until the early 2000s. The agency said these sites may have involved the use of undeclared nuclear diplomatic efforts continue. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, was in Tehran over the weekend to deliver a new US proposal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. The fifth round of US-Iran talks, held in Rome last week, showed 'some but not conclusive progress,' according to inputs from Associated Press
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Iran Has Amassed Even More near Weapons-Grade Uranium, UN Watchdog Says
The Associated Press Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaks to journalists attending a weeklong seminar at the agency in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. VIENNA (AP) — Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Saturday. 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 U.S. 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 International Atomic Energy Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — 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 (605.8 pounds). What does the report say? The IAEA report raised 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 (20,387.4 pounds). That's an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano 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. U.S. 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.' Iran is furious over the report Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a joint statement that the IAEA report was based on 'unreliable and differing information sources' and accused it of being biased, unprofessional and lacking crucial, updated information. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its disappointment about the report, which was prepared by imposing pressure on the agency for political purposes, and expresses its obvious objection about its content,' the statement read. The statement reiterated that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, issued a religious decree that nuclear weapons would not be part of the country's defense arsenal. However, Iran stressed that under international law, the country has a right to a peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment. The statement said the uranium enrichment was under 'transparent' monitoring by the IAEA, which the IAEA denies. The statement also accused the IAEA of turning a blind eye toward the U.S.'s 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating the U.S.-Iran talks was in Tehran on Saturday to present the latest U.S. proposal for ongoing talks, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have strained relations for almost 50 years. The fifth round of talks between the U.S. and Iran concluded in Rome last week with 'some but not conclusive progress,' al-Busaidi said at the time. Israel's swift reaction Israel said Saturday's 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 with which he sees the matter. Call for cooperation 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 35-member 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. What is the IAEA inspecting in Iran? 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 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.' What's next? Saturday's comprehensive report could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, leading to a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. European countries could move to trigger snap-back sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal ahead of October, when the deal formally expires. 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 Trump said he has told Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new deal with Tehran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb. 'Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it,' she said. 'Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.'
