Iran's uranium stockpile nearing atomic bomb threshold
According to a secret report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) obtained by the Associated Press, Iran continues to increase its stockpile of enriched uranium, approaching the level necessary for producing an atomic bomb.
7:12 AM EDT, May 28, 2024
Iran's enrichment of uranium is a consistent policy of Tehran aimed at exerting continuous pressure on the international community. Iran demands the lifting of economic sanctions imposed due to its nuclear program, while the West wants Iran to abandon attempts to construct nuclear weapons.
The report obtained by the Associated Press states that Iran's total stock of enriched uranium amounts to 13,666 pounds. However, the more concerning fact is the quantity of uranium enriched to 60%. As of May 11th, Iran possessed 313 pounds, over 44 more than in February this year.
With uranium enriched to 60%, Iran is just one step away from reaching the 90% level used for constructing atomic weapons.
Iran’s enrichment of uranium for "peaceful purposes"
Iran maintains that its nuclear program serves only peaceful purposes. However, IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi warns that Tehran has sufficient enriched uranium to produce several nuclear bombs. He also admitted that the UN agency cannot guarantee that none of Iran's centrifuges have been removed for secret uranium enrichment.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have been escalating since 2018, when then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal Tehran had struck with world powers. As a result, Iran abandoned all restrictions imposed on its program and swiftly began uncontrolled uranium enrichment.
The IAEA report was created in the context of heightened tensions in the Middle East, mainly due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Last month, Israel and Iran conducted direct attacks on each other's territories for the first time.
