A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reveals that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, nearing weapons-grade levels, has significantly increased, with no progress made in resolving outstanding disputes.
The IAEA states that since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. elections, Iran’s regime has accelerated its uranium enrichment to levels close to those required for nuclear weapons production.
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According to this confidential report, obtained by the Associated Press on Wednesday, February 26, Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had reached nearly 275 kilograms by February 8—an increase of 92.5 kilograms since November 2024.
The IAEA report states that approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, if further refined to 90% purity, would be theoretically sufficient to produce a nuclear bomb. At this rate, Iran’s high-purity uranium stockpile, as of February 8, could provide enough material to build more than six nuclear bombs.
Thus, in just the past three months, Iran’s regime has increased its 60% enriched uranium stockpile by 50%.
The IAEA’s new quarterly report, prepared for the agency’s Board of Governors, further states that Iran’s significant increase in high-enriched uranium production and accumulation—making it the only non-nuclear state producing such material—is a serious concern.
Iran’s 50% surge in high-enriched uranium stockpiles over the past three months comes after a growth of only 11% in the previous quarter.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, warned on February 14 that the Iranian regime plans to increase its uranium enrichment speed “sevenfold” and that time is running out to reach an agreement to contain Iran’s nuclear program.
On February 20, he also called the JCPOA “ineffective” and likened it to “a hollow shell,” which triggered a reaction from Iranian regime officials, who dismissed his remarks as “biased and unprofessional.”
In addition to 60% enrichment, Iran’s regime is also enriching uranium at 3.5% and 20% levels.
The IAEA report states that Iran’s total uranium stockpile across all these enrichment levels has reached nearly 8,295 kilograms, marking a 25% increase compared to three months ago.
Tehran officials have yet to provide an explanation for the purpose of enriching uranium to 60%—a level very close to what is needed for nuclear weapons—only stating that the Iranian regime abandoned its nuclear commitments due to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA.
Meanwhile, for several years, the IAEA has been unable to persuade the regime to provide a reasonable explanation for traces of uranium found at its undeclared sites.
In response to U.S. sanctions, the Iranian regime has also restricted the IAEA’s access to surveillance camera data at its nuclear facilities and has limited the entry of certain international inspectors for several years.
The IAEA’s Wednesday report also noted that Iran has not reversed its September 2023 decision to ban some of the agency’s most experienced inspectors from entering the country.
