According to a recent United Nations report, Iran has sharply increased its production of near-weapons-grade uranium, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna, disclosed that by February 8, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% had reached 274.8 kilograms, an increase of 92.5 kilograms from the previous report in November.
This level of enrichment puts the material perilously close to weapons-grade, which is typically around 90%. In contrast, Iran’s stockpile was recorded at 182.3 kilograms in November 2024 and 164.7 kilograms in August of that year. “The significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern,” the confidential IAEA report warned.
Experts point out that approximately 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% could be enough to produce one nuclear bomb if it is further enriched to 90%. The report also stated that Iran’s overall stockpile of enriched uranium had risen to 8,294.4 kilograms as of February 8, reflecting an increase of 1,690.0 kilograms since November. Iran has expanded its nuclear activities since 2019, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Iran has taken another step to accelerate its nuclear program, recently notifying the IAEA of its plans to “significantly increase” its uranium enrichment up to 60 percent. In response to this development, the Trump administration, which reimposed sanctions on Iran as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign, reiterated its commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“President Trump has put the Iran Regime on notice by reimposing Maximum Pressure and is committed to ensuring the regime never gets a nuclear weapon. He has also made clear he is open to talks with Iran to come to an agreement that fully addresses the outstanding issues between our two countries,” said National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes, as quoted by AP. Despite the sanctions, Trump has also indicated his preference for reaching a diplomatic deal with Iran rather than allowing Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
However, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the Iranian government against engaging in talks with the United States, describing such negotiations as “reckless.” On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed the possibility of direct talks with the US on Iran’s nuclear program. “There will be no possibility of direct talks between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way,” Araqchi stated during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “Regarding the nuclear negotiations, the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear. We will not negotiate under pressure, threat or sanctions,” he added.
{Matzav.com}