Iran has sharply stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium, moving it closer to weapons-grade levels, in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) received by The Associated Press on Wednesday. The February 8 report showed that Iran’s stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium had grown to 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds), a 92.5-kilogram (203.9-pound) increase since the previous IAEA measurement in November. The material is only a technical step away from achieving the 90% purity needed for nuclear weapons.
The IAEA raised severe concerns about Iran’s increasing stockpile, with the nation still being the sole non-nuclear weapon state producing such a large amount of enriched uranium. Specialists believe that some 42 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium might be enough to make one atomic bomb if further enriched. Iran’s overall enriched uranium stockpile now stands at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds), increasing by 1,690.0 kilograms (3,725.8 pounds) since November.
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The Trump administration reacted by reiterating its determination to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said that President Trump is steadfast in imposing “maximum pressure” on Tehran while keeping the door open for negotiations. Trump’s first term was marked by increased tensions with Iran, including the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement and the imposition of tough sanctions.
The report also pointed out Iran’s persistence in defying global monitoring, saying that Tehran has not reversed its 2023 move to block important IAEA inspectors. Iran has further intensified the operation of advanced centrifuges at underground Fordo and Natanz facilities, further driving the enrichment of uranium. The IAEA remains to call upon Iran to come into line but questions regarding Iranian past nuclear programs persist.
