According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has now agreed 18 times as much enriched uranium as in the 2015 nuclear deal. According to a confidential IAEA report, the total amount of enriched uranium now totals 3.76 tons, several times the maximum of 202.8 kilograms agreed in 2015. In addition, uranium particles were found with a degree of purity almost sufficient for the production of an atomic bomb.
The paper, which was available to the AFP news agency, confirmed a media report. According to the report, IAEA inspectors discovered highly enriched uranium particles “with a U-235 content of up to 83.7 percent” in an Iranian nuclear facility when examining samples taken in Fordow on January 22. A U-235 content of 90 percent is required for the production of nuclear weapons.
However, the IAEA and Iran are still in exchange about where these particles come from. Iran denies enrichment beyond 60 percent, citing “unintended fluctuations” during the enrichment process. In the nuclear deal with Iran, which is currently on hold, a threshold of 3.67 percent was agreed for uranium enrichment in 2015.
Talks with Tehran to clarify this issue are underway, according to the non-public report available to the German Press Agency. “Something like this can happen accidentally or on purpose,” said a senior diplomat who closely follows Iran’s nuclear program. However, previous analyzes by the IAEA had shown that only a very small amount of 83.7 percent material had been produced, he said.
Meanwhile, according to the IAEA report available to AFP, the amount of highly enriched uranium in Iran continues to grow. Tehran now has 434.7 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, compared to just 386.4 kilograms last November, according to the report.
The IAEA has also repeatedly pointed out that it is no longer able to fully monitor Iran’s nuclear program. In February 2021, Tehran began restricting inspectors’ access.
As IAEA boss Rafael Grossi officially confirmed for the first time on Tuesday, the uranium had a purity of 83.7 percent. That’s just under the 90 percent needed for nuclear weapons. The traces were discovered in January during an inspection of a uranium enrichment facility in Fordow.
Iranian authorities told the IAEA that the extremely high level of enrichment was an “unintended fluctuation.” “Something like this can happen accidentally or on purpose,” said a senior diplomat who closely follows Iran’s nuclear program. However, previous analyzes by the IAEA had shown that only a very small amount of 83.7 percent material had been produced, he said.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi had already pointed out in January that Iran already has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons if the material were to be further enriched. According to Iranian statements, Grossi is to travel to Iran “in the next few days”.
According to the report, the Islamic Republic possesses, among other things, almost 435 kilograms of 20 percent uranium, 48 kilograms more than in the previous quarterly report from November. The stock of 60% uranium increased by 25 kilograms and is currently at almost 88 kilograms. Tehran has always emphasized that it is only interested in peaceful nuclear technology.
As part of an agreement concluded in Vienna in 2015, Iran committed to restricting its nuclear program. In return, Western sanctions were lifted. This pact was intended to prevent the construction 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 on hold for months.