The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms traces of highly enriched uranium in Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency has found particles of highly enriched uranium in Iran. As the head of the commission, Rafael Grossi, officially confirmed for the first time today, the purity of uranium is 83.7 percent. The value is not far from 90 percent, which would be needed for nuclear weapons. The traces were discovered in January during an inspection of the uranium enrichment facility at Fordow.

Iranian authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the extremely high level of enrichment was an “unintentional fluctuation”. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a non-public report that talks are underway with Tehran to clarify this issue.

Stocks are getting bigger

Weeks ago, Grossi had indicated that Iran already had enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons if the material was enriched further.

According to the report, the Islamic Republic has, among other things, approximately 435 kilograms of 20 percent uranium, an increase of 48 kilograms over the previous quarterly report from November. The stock of 60% uranium has increased by 25 kilograms and is currently approximately 88 kilograms. Tehran has long maintained that it is only interested in peaceful nuclear technology.

In 2015, Iran committed to limiting its nuclear programme. In return, Western sanctions were lifted. The aim of this agreement was to prevent the building of nuclear weapons in the Islamic Republic. After the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, Tehran responded by expanding uranium enrichment and restricting IAEA inspections. Negotiations to revive the nuclear deal have been stalled for months.