(CLO Despite international pressure, Iran has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
According to a November 19 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of October 26, Iran had 182.3 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity. This figure increased by 17.6 kg compared to the most recent report in August.
Uranium enriched to 60% purity is a short technical step to 90% weapons grade.
The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of October 26, Iran's total stockpile of enriched uranium was 6,604.4 kg, up 852.6 kg since August. By the IAEA's definition, about 42 kg of uranium enriched to 90% purity is the amount that could theoretically make a nuclear weapon.
The reports come at a crucial time as Israel and Iran have carried out missile attacks in recent months.
Flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Photo: AP
The IAEA also reported that Iran has yet to take any concrete steps to improve cooperation with the IAEA, despite calls from IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The report also said there has been no progress so far in reinstalling monitoring equipment, including cameras, which were removed in June 2022. Since then, the only data recorded has come from IAEA cameras installed at a centrifuge plant in Isfahan in May 2023, although Iran has not provided the IAEA with access to the data and inspectors have not been able to service the cameras.
To ensure that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons, world powers reached a deal with Tehran in 2015 under which Tehran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to levels needed for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. UN inspectors were tasked with monitoring the program.
Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was only allowed to enrich uranium to a maximum purity of 3.67%, could maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kg, and was only allowed to use very basic IR-1 centrifuges, which spin uranium gas at high speeds for enrichment purposes.
A year after the US withdrew from the deal under President Donald Trump, Iran began gradually abandoning the limits the deal placed on its program and began enriching uranium to 60% purity.
Ngoc Anh (according to AP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lien-hop-quoc-iran-tang-kho-du-tru-uranium-gan-cap-do-vu-khi-post322116.html
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