- Iran has significantly increased its production of highly enriched uranium in the past three months.
- According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 25 kilograms of uranium with a purity of 60 percent were produced during this period. In the previous quarter it was less than 7 kilograms.
- Overall, however, Iran’s inventory of 60 percent uranium fell slightly because the material was mixed with lower-enriched uranium.
According to the IAEA, Iran now has around 120 kilograms of 60 percent uranium. According to experts, it takes around 50 kilograms to make a nuclear bomb. Iran’s leadership denies wanting to build nuclear weapons.
The work of the IAEA is only possible to a limited extent
However, in another report, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi pointed to recent statements by the current and former Iranian nuclear chief that their country has the technical capabilities to develop such weapons. Such statements “only increase the Director General’s concerns” about whether Iran has really disclosed its entire nuclear program, the IAEA said.
According to Grossi, Tehran has continued to do nothing in recent months to clarify questions about formerly secret nuclear facilities and has only allowed the work of IAEA inspectors to a very limited extent.
Trump canceled the nuclear deal
In 2015, Iran committed itself to severely restricting its nuclear program in an agreement. In return, sanctions were lifted.
The pact, which was intended to prevent the construction of Iranian nuclear bombs, was canceled in 2018 by then US President Donald Trump. In return, Tehran greatly expanded its uranium enrichment and restricted IAEA controls.