Iran grows its supply of enriched uranium, watchdog reports

Iran has increased its supplies of enriched uranium in recent months, according to the latest confidential quarterly report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a U.N. watchdog group.

The latest report was obtained by the news agency on Monday. Including Associated Press and Reuters Since the last report in February, it has become clear that Iran has increased its total stockpile of enriched uranium, as well as its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity.

According to the IAEA, uranium needs to be enriched to 90 percent to be considered weapons-grade, but at that level, 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent would theoretically be enough to produce one nuclear weapon.

The latest reports, according to the Associated Press and Reuters, showed that as of May 11, Iran had 142.1 kilograms (313.2 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent, up from 121.5 kilograms (267.8 pounds) in February.

It decreased in February. Previous Report Iran had 128.3 kilograms of enriched uranium as of November 2023. The Associated Press reported at the time that the decline was the result of Iran diluting 60 percent enriched uranium with lower-grade uranium.

According to the Associated Press, the report said that as of May 11, Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium was 6,201.3 kilograms (13,671.5 pounds), up from 5,525.5 kilograms (12,182 pounds) in February.

In February, Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium was at 6,564.2 kilograms, up from November 2023.

The latest report comes as Iran faces increasing pressure from the international community to lift sanctions over its nuclear program, with the Associated Press reporting that Iran is seeking sanctions relief in exchange for slowing its nuclear program.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but as its nuclear arsenal grows, experts have expressed concern that the country could theoretically have enough enriched uranium to make multiple weapons.

Former President Trump withdrew from the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, which allowed Iran to enrich uranium to 3.67% purity and required it to reduce its uranium stockpile by 98%. U.N. officials were allowed to monitor the program. Iran has since barred inspectors from its facilities.