Iran's uranium enrichment surge heightens global tensions
Iran has accelerated its production of uranium enriched to 60%, bringing it closer to the level needed for producing nuclear weapons, Associated Press reported, citing two confidential reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The significant acceleration in the production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear-armed state producing nuclear material, is a cause for great concern, as noted in one of the IAEA reports.
IAEA: Iran has significantly increased its enriched uranium stockpile
Bloomberg, which also refers to the international agency’s report, notes that in the last three months alone, Iran has amassed 134 kilograms of highly enriched uranium and currently holds 408 kilograms of this substance. This volume of material, once further enriched, could be used to create cores for approximately 10 atomic bombs.
IAEA data as of May 17 indicates that the agency emphasizes approximately 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% is sufficient to produce one atomic bomb if further enriched to 90%.
Key concerns arise due to "unsatisfactory" cooperation with Iran, which has avoided providing answers and has not supplied reliable technical information on this matter. Tehran responded to a call regarding this issue from former President Donald Trump, assuring that it will not halt its nuclear program.
The reports emerged during a stalemate in Iranian-American negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program, which began on April 12. To date, five rounds of talks have been held, and both sides have hardened their positions. Iran refuses a complete ban on uranium enrichment while assuring that its nuclear policy is peaceful. Meanwhile, the Americans accuse Tehran of working on nuclear weapons.
