Iran has significantly boosted its production of highly enriched uranium, approaching weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential United Nations nuclear watchdog report.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued an urgent call on Saturday for Iran to reverse its course and fully cooperate with its ongoing investigation.
With heightened tensions and threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch strikes if Iran doesn’t curb its nuclear development, recent discussions in Oman have gained urgency.
The IAEA report, accessed by the Associated Press and AFP, states that as of May 17, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent. This marks a nearly 50 percent increase — or 133.8 kilograms — since the agency’s February report. Enrichment at this level is nearing the 90 percent purity typically required for nuclear weapons.
Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium now exceeds the limit set under the 2015 nuclear agreement by over 45 times.
Key Findings from the IAEA Report
The IAEA emphasized that Iran is currently the only non-nuclear-armed country producing uranium enriched to such levels, calling it a matter of “serious concern.”
Approximately 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent can be further refined to produce a nuclear bomb, according to IAEA estimates. As of May 17, Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile, including material at lower enrichment levels, reached 9,247.6 kilograms — up 953.2 kilograms since February.
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. However, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi cautioned that Tehran now possesses enough near-weapons-grade uranium to manufacture “several” nuclear bombs if it decides to proceed.
Although U.S. intelligence agencies believe Iran has not yet initiated a weapons program, they acknowledge Tehran has taken steps that would facilitate building a nuclear device if it chooses to.
Another IAEA report released the same day criticized Iran for providing “less than satisfactory” cooperation with inspections, especially concerning unexplained nuclear materials found at undeclared locations.
Israeli Reaction
The report’s release comes at a delicate time as Washington and Tehran have recently resumed indirect talks about a potential nuclear agreement.
Western nations have long suspected Iran of pursuing a nuclear arsenal, partly in response to Israel’s alleged — but unconfirmed — nuclear stockpile. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office described the IAEA findings as a clear indication of Iran’s intention to complete its nuclear weapons program.
“The enrichment levels seen are typical only of nations seeking nuclear arms and cannot be justified for civilian purposes,” his office stated.
Iran’s Response
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Iran’s official stance, affirming in a televised speech that the country considers nuclear weapons to be unacceptable.
“If this is about nuclear weapons, we also see them as unacceptable,” he said, according to AFP.
What Lies Ahead?
According to the Associated Press, the report could heighten tensions between Iran and Western nations. European governments may consider reimposing sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord, especially with the agreement set to expire formally in October.
Despite this, on Thursday, senior Iranian officials rejected rumors of a pending deal with the U.S., stressing that any agreement must include a full lifting of sanctions and allow the continuation of Iran’s nuclear program.
Former President Trump said on Friday he had advised Netanyahu to delay any military action to give time for diplomacy. He expressed hope that a new agreement could still be reached “in the not too distant future.”
