Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium in recent months, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The development is likely to raise further doubts about a potential nuclear agreement with the United States.
Israel responded quickly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that the confidential UN nuclear watchdog report from May 31 confirms Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The IAEA report notes that as of May 17, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, up from just under 275 kilograms reported in February, as cited by the Associated Press.
The AP emphasized that 60% enrichment is a short technical step away from weapons-grade 90% enrichment, and the IAEA noted that about 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium could theoretically be enough to produce one atomic bomb if further enriched.
“Iran is now the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing such material,” the IAEA report said, calling the situation “seriously concerning.”
U.S.-Iran Talks in Stalemate as Trump Pushes for Deal
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks a new deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Since returning to office in January, Trump has held five rounds of indirect talks with Iran, after withdrawing from the 2015 international nuclear deal during his first term and reinstating sanctions.
Uranium enrichment remains the main sticking point. The U.S. insists Iran must halt all enrichment, while Tehran has rejected that demand, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
High-level Iranian officials stated on May 29 that any deal must include lifting sanctions and allow the continuation of the nuclear program.
However, the next day, Trump said he believed an agreement could be reached in the “not-so-distant future“, warning that Iran would prefer to make a deal rather than “be blown up” — referencing his repeated threats of military consequences if Tehran fails to agree to a pact.
Trump also revealed that on May 28, he asked Netanyahu to delay a strike on Iran to give the U.S. more time to pursue diplomacy.
IAEA Finds Troubling Signs of Secret Activity
Following the release of the IAEA report, Netanyahu’s office stated that the level of uranium enrichment “only exists in countries actively seeking nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification.”
“The report strongly confirms what Israel has said for years — Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful,” the statement said. “The international community must act now to stop Iran.”
In a separate confidential IAEA report, also seen by the media, the agency expressed concern over Iran’s insufficient cooperation regarding uranium traces found at several undeclared sites.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi reiterated his “urgent call” for Iran to fully and effectively cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Western officials suspect the traces may be evidence of a secret military nuclear program Iran operated until 2003, according to the AP.
