Iran vastly increased nuclear fuel stockpile ahead of Trump return, UN agency finds
Iran has once again defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program, as a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revealed that the country has increased its stockpile of nearly weapons-grade uranium. The report found that Iran now possesses enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, just below the 90% purity required for a nuclear weapon, to produce approximately four nuclear bombs.
As of October 26, Iran had approximately 400 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity, an increase of 40 pounds from August. Additionally, the country’s overall stockpile of uranium enriched at any level has reached about 14,560 pounds, an increase of 1,880 pounds from August. It is important to note that around 92 pounds of uranium enriched at 90% purity is needed to manufacture an atomic weapon.
In response to these findings, Iran has offered to halt the enrichment of uranium beyond 60%, but with conditions. The country has requested that the European Union and the United Kingdom cease their efforts to impose new sanctions on Iran, and that the IAEA drop a censure resolution it is pursuing against Iran. During discussions between IAEA general director Rafael Grossi and Iranian diplomats, the possibility of Iran not expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% was raised, with Iran also considering allowing agency inspectors to conduct oversight of its nuclear materials.
Experts have highlighted that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to 60%. Concerns have been mounting among Western nations that Iran may decide to pursue a nuclear bomb as a deterrent, especially after Israel’s strikes against Iran’s proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, and reports of Iran’s enhanced manufacturing capabilities for nuclear weapons over the past year.
The European Union has recently expanded sanctions against Iran for its alleged support of Russia in the conflict in Ukraine, targeting the national seafaring company and ships used for transferring drones and missiles. The United Kingdom has also frozen the assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the allegations and warned that such sanctions would lead to retaliation from Iran.
The IAEA board is expected to proceed with a European-backed censure resolution against Iran, which could potentially escalate the issue to the U.N. Security Council for further action. The resolution would condemn Iran’s lack of cooperation and call for a comprehensive report on all open questions regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.
While Iran has not officially decided to build a nuclear bomb, recent U.S. intelligence indicates that the country could produce weapons-grade uranium within a week and have enough for several nuclear bombs within a month if it chooses to do so. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and whether diplomatic or confrontational measures will be taken.
