In a confidential report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed on August 29 that the Iranian regime, defying international demands, has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium at a level “close to weapons-grade.”
According to the IAEA report, as of August 17, Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium reached a total of 164.7 kilograms, an increase of over 22 kilograms compared to the previous IAEA report in May 2024.
Experts say that converting 60% enriched uranium to weapons-grade 90% purity requires only “a short technical step.”
According to the Associated Press, the IAEA noted in its new report that the Iranian government has not yet reviewed its previous decision to ban IAEA inspectors from its nuclear program, and the agency’s surveillance cameras remain disrupted.
In another part of the report, the IAEA mentioned that on August 8, it sent a letter to the Iranian government requesting access to the centrifuge production facilities in Isfahan to service its surveillance cameras but has not yet received a response from Tehran.
According to the IAEA, Iran has still not responded to the years-old questions about the origin and location of man-made uranium particles found at two previously undeclared sites known as Varamin and Turquzabad.
On June 3, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also stated that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, including 60% enriched uranium, continues to grow.
On June 5, the IAEA Board of Governors called on Iranian authorities to take steps to cooperate with the agency more swiftly and to lift the ban on the entry of experienced inspectors from this UN nuclear watchdog into Iran.
The UN Security Council’s periodic meeting to review the implementation of Resolution 2231 and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was held in July 2024, during which member states, particularly the European Troika, expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear activities and warned about the potential activation of the “snapback mechanism.”
The U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations, speaking at the meeting on Monday, June 24, stated that Iran continues to violate the 2015 nuclear agreement and obstruct the IAEA inspectors’ monitoring efforts, adding that there should be no hesitation in condemning this behavior.
The UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations also warned at the meeting that the European Troika might activate the snapback mechanism against the Iranian regime.
The activation of the snapback mechanism, which is provided for under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 to enforce the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, would result in the reinstatement of all international sanctions against Tehran.
Under Resolution 2231, the UN Secretary-General’s report on Iran’s nuclear activities is presented and discussed by the Security Council members every six months during their regular session.
