Iran further increases stockpiles of enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels

VIENNA (AP) — Iran has further increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report from the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Monday.

The report, seen by The Associated Press, said Iran now has 142.1 kilograms (313.2 pounds) of 60 percent enriched uranium, an increase of 20.6 kilograms (45.4 pounds) since the last report from February. Uranium enriched to 60% purity is only a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

According to the report, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,201.3 kilograms (13,671.5 pounds), representing an increase of 675.8 kilograms (1,489.8 pounds) since the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In its current report, the IAEA also said Tehran had not reconsidered the agency's September 2023 decision to ban the most experienced nuclear inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program, but added that it expected Iran “to do so in the context of ongoing consultations between the Agency.” and Iran.

The IAEA also said the deaths of Iran's president and foreign minister in a helicopter crash had caused a pause in negotiations between the U.N. nuclear watchdog and Tehran on improving security. cooperation.

In its current report, the IAEA said Iran suggested in a letter dated May 21 that discussions related to cooperation between the IAEA and Iran “continue in Tehran” at an appropriate date which will be mutually agreed.”

Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi has already warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near weapon levels to make “several » nuclear bombs if he chose to do so. He acknowledged that the agency cannot guarantee that none of Iran's centrifuges were removed for clandestine enrichment.

Iran and the United Nations nuclear watchdog are still negotiating how to implement a deal reached last year to expand inspections of the Islamic Republic's rapidly advancing atomic program.

The IAEA's acknowledgment shows the challenges its inspectors face, years after Tehran's failed nuclear deal with world powers and broader tensions gripping the Middle East over war ongoing between Israel and Hamas.

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