Vienna, Feb 26 (EFE).- Iran has quadrupled its production of highly enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels in recent months, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday.
The increased production of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just a step away from the 90% required for nuclear weapons, has raised “serious concern,” the UN agency said.
According to an IAEA report accessed by EFE, Iran has installed and operated additional machinery to enhance enrichment, accumulating 274 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium, a 50% increase since October.
The IAEA also voiced deep concern over Iran’s lack of cooperation in resolving key questions about the nature of its nuclear activities.
As long as these uncertainties persist, the agency warned, it cannot guarantee that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
Iran accelerated its uranium enrichment shortly after the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution condemning the country’s lack of transparency.
Additionally, Iran has not implemented the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s inspection protocol for the past four years, further restricting international oversight of its nuclear facilities, the agency said.
Iran’s nuclear program has remained a focal point of international concern since the 2015 signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and six world powers, including the US.
In 2018, during Trump’s first term, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reinstated sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran exceeded the uranium enrichment limits set by the JCPOA.
Efforts to revive the deal have so far been unsuccessful.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns that Iran is the “only non-nuclear-weapon state” enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade material. EFE