Secret IAEA report: Iran increased enriched uranium production

The US news agency reported that it had obtained a secret IAEA report which showed that as of May 17, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

As we read, this means an increase of more than 130 kilograms (nearly half) compared to the data in the last report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, published in February. The Associated Press notes that the material enriched to 60 percent is a small, technical step away from the level of 90 percent, which can be used in the production of nuclear weapons.

The IAEA said Iran is currently the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing such material, a cause for “serious concern,” the agency said. The IAEA said 42 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, if enriched to 90 percent, would be enough to produce one nuclear bomb.

The IAEA report is published quarterly. The latest one estimates Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile at 9,247.6 kilograms, up 953.2 kilograms from three months ago.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that Iran has enough highly enriched uranium to make multiple atomic bombs if it decides to do so.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Photo: REUTERS/Lisa Leutner

According to U.S. intelligence, Iran has not embarked on a nuclear weapons program, but has "taken steps that put it in a better position to do so if it decides to do so."

Israel responded to the International Atomic Energy Agency's reports. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying the report was a clear warning that Iran was "determined to complete its nuclear weapons program." The text said Iran's nuclear program was not peaceful and that Tehran's uranium enrichment at this level had no civilian justification.

Members of the Iranian delegation leave the Omani embassy in Rome, where the fifth round of U.S.-Iran talks were held, May 23 photo

Photo: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

The AP also reported that the IAEA sent member states a second secret report on Saturday, assessing that cooperation with Iran was unsatisfactory regarding traces of uranium discovered by IAEA inspectors at several sites in Iran that Iranian authorities have not identified as nuclear facilities. “Western officials suspect that traces of uranium discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003,” the AP report said. Grossi called on Tehran to fully and effectively cooperate with the agency’s years-long investigation into uranium enrichment.

According to Reuters, the findings of the second report could pave the way for the U.S., Britain, France and Germany to persuade the IAEA Board of Governors to declare that Iran has violated its nonproliferation obligations. The AP, meanwhile, writes that European countries could take action to reinstate sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the 2015 deal.

The US is negotiating with Iran on a new nuclear deal that would replace the one concluded by Western powers with Iran in 2015, which was unilaterally terminated by President Donald Trump in 2018 during his first term. Trump has stressed that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. The US president has not ruled out the possibility of an attack on Iran, which the US could carry out together with Israel, if Washington's talks with Tehran do not bring a breakthrough.

Tehran has ruled out the possibility of stopping uranium enrichment and abandoning its nuclear program.