Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report from the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The IAEA report said that as of October 26, Iran possessed 182.3 kg (401.9 lb) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kg (38.8 lb) since the last report in August.
Uranium enriched to 60% purity is only a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
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 (14,560 lb), an increase of 852.6 kg (1,879.6 lb) since August. Under the IAEA’s definition, about 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity is the amount at which a single atomic weapon could theoretically be produced — if the material were enriched further, to 90%.
The reports come at a critical time as Israel and Iran have exchanged missile attacks in recent months after more than a year of war in Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas, an Iran-backed group.
Adding to the complexity, Donald Trump’s re-election raises questions about whether and how the incoming administration and Iran might cooperate.
Trump’s first term in office was marked by a particularly turbulent period, when he pursued a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran. He unilaterally withdrew America from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, triggering sanctions that crippled the economy, and ordered the killing of the country’s top general.
Western diplomats are considering blaming Iran
Last week, Iran offered not to increase its stock of enriched uranium by up to 60%, during a visit by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, to Tehran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said during the meetings: “The possibility of Iran not increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium up to 60% of uranium 235 was discussed, including the necessary technical verification procedures for the Agency to confirm this, if implemented.”
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The report said that one day after Grossi left Iran, on November 16, IAEA inspectors verified that “Iran began implementing preparatory measures aimed at halting the increase in its stockpile of uranium enriched by up to 60% of uranium 235” under the earth. Nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.
These reports come ahead of the regular meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency this week in Vienna. Western countries are considering issuing a resolution criticizing Iran for its failure to improve cooperation with the agency.
A senior diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that the commitments Iran made during the IAEA chief’s visit would likely not stand in the event of a resolution. In the past, Iran has responded to decisions of the IAEA Board of Governors by further strengthening its nuclear program.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels to make “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. He admitted that the UN agency could not guarantee that any of Iran’s centrifuges would not be removed for the purpose of secret enrichment.
Little progress in improving relations
The IAEA also said Iran has failed to take concrete steps so far to improve cooperation, despite pleas from Grossi, who held talks last week with Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and reformist Iranian President Massoud. Pezishkian.
However, Tuesday’s confidential report also stated that during Grossi’s visit to Iran on November 14, “Iran agreed to respond to the Agency’s concerns regarding Iran’s withdrawal of the appointment of several experienced IAEA inspectors by considering accepting the appointment of four additional experienced IAEA inspectors.” “. “Inspectors.”
In September 2023, Iran barred some of the IAEA’s most experienced inspectors.
The report also said there has been no progress so far in reinstalling more surveillance equipment, including cameras, that were removed in June 2022. Since then, the only recorded data has come from IAEA cameras installed in a workshop. for the centrifuge in Isfahan in May 2023 – although Iran has not done so. The IAEA was provided with access to this data and inspectors were unable to maintain the cameras.
Last week, Eslami warned that Iran might retaliate if it was challenged during the next meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors. Grossi admitted that some countries are considering taking measures against Iran.
In an attempt to ensure that Iran is unable to develop nuclear weapons, world powers concluded a deal with Tehran in 2015 under which it agreed to limit uranium enrichment to levels necessary for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. United Nations inspectors were assigned to monitor the program
Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium to only 3.67% purity, can maintain a uranium stockpile of up to 300 kilograms, and is allowed to use only basic IR-1 centrifuges, machines that spin uranium gas at high speeds. . For enrichment purposes.
A year after the United States withdrew from the agreement under Donald Trump, Iran began gradually abandoning all restrictions imposed by the agreement on its program and began enriching uranium to a purity of up to 60%.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press
