Enriched uranium in Iran is enough for three nuclear bombs: IAEA report

Iran, as defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has uranium enriched to 60% weapons-grade purity, enough to create three atomic bombs. In addition, the authorities continue to refuse to provide information on key issues. The publication told in more detail Reuters.

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Iran's steady progress in enriching uranium to very high levels while failing to provide the IAEA with the cooperation it requires on a growing list of issues poses a problem for both the agency and Western powers, which have repeatedly called on Iran to change course.

Stocks of uranium enriched to 4% have increased by 60 kg (6,7 lb) since September 14,8 to 128,3 kg (282,9 lb), according to one of two reports to member states seen by Reuters. pound). This is more than three times the approximately 42 kg (92,6 lb) that the IAEA has determined is theoretically enough to create a nuclear bomb with further enrichment.

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“That's quite a lot, especially if you don't use it for anything,” said one senior diplomat, referring to the fact that Iran is the only country to have enriched the atom to such a high level without producing nuclear weapons.

Weapon level is about 90%.

Iran has enough uranium enriched to lower levels to make several more bombs, but the country denies it is pursuing such a weapon.

However, the pace of uranium enrichment to 60% has slowed to 3 kg (6,6 lb) per month from 9 kg (19,8 lb) earlier this year, which diplomats say is an apparent result of indirect negotiations with the US, which led to a prisoner exchange between the two countries in September.

The number of operating cascades, or clusters, of centrifuges for uranium enrichment also did not change, the report said. However, tensions between the agency and Iran have only increased.

A year ago, the 35-nation IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution ordering Iran to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency requirements. regarding the investigation into the discovery of traces of uranium at three undeclared sites. The IAEA has since reduced the list of sites to two, but has made no further progress.

Without consequences

The list of pressing problems facing the International Atomic Energy Agency in Iran has also grown: an agreement reached in March to reinstall monitoring equipment, including surveillance cameras removed last year at Iran's request, was only partially implemented, and in September Tehran “removed from the list” experienced IAEA inspectors.

The report, published on November 14, shows a lack of progress in addressing these issues. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi sent a letter to Iran asking it to reconsider the delisting decision, but Iran responded only by saying that it was “exploring possibilities to comply with the request.”

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“This measure, although formally authorized... has been applied by Iran in a manner that directly and seriously impacts the Agency's ability to effectively conduct its verification activities in Iran, in particular at enrichment facilities,” the second report said. “The IAEA Director General continues to strongly condemn Iran’s sudden withdrawal of the appointments of several experienced Agency inspectors.”

Despite disagreements over inspectors, particles and monitoring equipment, Iran is unlikely to face serious consequences when the IAEA board meets next week.

Although the United States and its European allies have previously threatened to pass another binding resolution against Iran, diplomats say that will not happen this time, in part to avoid diplomatic escalation with Iran while attention is focused on Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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