Iran significantly increased its stockpile of enriched uranium

(Patria) - Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has significantly increased since December, according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, close to the 90 percent needed for a bomb, has long caused concern among Western powers, which argue there is no civilian justification for enriching uranium to such a high level.

Iran claims it is developing its nuclear program solely for peaceful purposes.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intends to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, but the IAEA has warned that time for diplomacy is running out.

"Iran's significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium, the only country without nuclear weapons producing such nuclear material, is a serious concern," the IAEA states in a passage included in both quarterly reports on Iran.

Confidential reports, sent to member states and reviewed by Reuters, show that while stocks of material enriched to 60 percent have increased by half, there is no real progress in resolving long-standing outstanding issues, including the unexplained presence of uranium traces at undeclared locations.

Stocks of uranium enriched to 60 percent rose by 92.5 kilograms in the last quarter to 274.8 kilograms, according to the report. This is in principle enough for six nuclear bombs if the uranium is further enriched. It is also sufficient for more weapons with lower-enriched uranium.

Before the new acceleration in production, Iran produced six to nine kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent per month, and now produces 35 to 40 kilograms, a senior diplomat said. This is close to 42 kilograms, which is in principle enough for one bomb if further enriched.

"Iran claims it has reported all its nuclear material, activities and locations as required by the Safeguards Agreement. This is not consistent with the Agency's assessments," the report states.

Trump in 2018, during his first term, withdrew the U.S. from the agreement with Iran and other powers that limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran has since violated and far exceeded the prescribed limits.

European powers, now with U.S. assistance, want to negotiate new restrictions or use a mechanism in the nuclear agreement to reimpose all sanctions before the agreement expires in October.