The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Thursday that Iran is ignoring international calls by adding to its already vast stockpile of weapons-grade uranium and refusing to allow senior IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities.
According to New IAEA reportIran currently has 164.7 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, well above the purity required for reasonable civilian operation but below the 90 percent level needed for a nuclear bomb.
Increasing the uranium concentration from 60% to 90% can be done much faster than getting to the 60% level, and the IAEA estimates that once Iran completes the enrichment process, its current uranium stockpile could be enough to produce multiple nuclear weapons.
Iran's nuclear stockpile is 22.6 kilograms larger than what the IAEA announced in May. Previous ReportAlthough the stockpile was reduced in May, it was still 30 times the amount Iran agreed to maintain under the 2015 nuclear deal with former President Barack Obama.
The IAEA has detected signs that Iran is planning to further increase its uranium stockpile: The report said that a battery of at least eight new uranium centrifuges has been installed at Iran's main uranium enrichment facility, but is not yet operational.
As in May, the IAEA complained that Iran continues to refuse to fully cooperate with nuclear inspectors. The agency noted that Iran continues to deny senior IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities and has not explained why traces of uranium were found. Found At two sites not listed in 2021.
“The Director General looks forward to an early visit to Iran following his initial meetings with President Pezechkian, with a view to establishing a fluid and constructive dialogue that can rapidly lead to concrete outcomes,” the IAEA's quarterly report to member states said. said.
The Director General of the IAEA is Rafael Mariano Grossi. caveat Russia has warned international leaders about the increasing possibility of a “nuclear accident” at a Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk Oblast, which was overrun by Ukrainian forces in early August.
Massoud Pezechkian is Recently installed Pezechkian became Iran's president after succeeding hardline Iranian cleric Ibrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Pezechkian ran with the support of “moderate” Iranian politicians who negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal and has expressed interest in resuming “nuclear diplomacy.” Blessings Without Enthusiasm of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On Thursday, Iran's UN Ambassador Ali Bahaini Written On social media, Tehran stated that it supports a global ban on nuclear weapons testing. Specified The International Day Against Nuclear Tests was established by the United Nations in 2009.
“Nuclear testing is a threat to our planet and future generations. On this International Day Against Nuclear Tests, let us pledge to protect our world by calling for a complete end to nuclear testing and the total elimination of nuclear weapons. [nuclear weapons]” Bahrani wrote on social media.
“Any nuclear detonation is a setback on the path to a nuclear weapon-free world. Today, more than ever, a global effort towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons is needed,” he said in another post written in Farsi.
