Iran has enough uranium enriched to 60% to create three atomic bombs.
This is stated in the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), writes Reuters.
It is noted that Iran's steady progress in enriching uranium to very high levels and refusal to cooperate with the IAEA is a challenge both for the agency and for Western states, which have repeatedly called on Iran to change course.
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Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% has increased by 6.7 kg to 128.3 kg since the last report on September 4.
This is more than triple the approximately 42 kg that the IAEA has determined is theoretically enough to create a nuclear bomb, subject to further enrichment.
“That's a significant amount, especially if it's not used for anything,” the senior diplomat said, referring to the fact that Iran is the only country that enriches uranium to such a high level without producing nuclear weapons.
Reuters indicates that Iran has enough uranium enriched to lower levels to create more bombs, but the country denies it is seeking such weapons.
At the same time, the pace of uranium enrichment to 60% has slowed to about 3 kg per month from 9 kg earlier this year.
The IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution a year ago ordering Iran to investigate traces of uranium found at three sites. The IAEA has since narrowed the list of sites to two, but no further progress has been made.
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The IAEA's list of pressing problems in Iran has also grown: A March agreement to reinstall monitoring equipment, including surveillance cameras removed last year at Iran's request, was only partially implemented, and Tehran withdrew IAEA inspectors in September.
In addition, the second report indicates a lack of progress on these issues. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi wrote a letter to Iran asking it to reconsider the decision, and Iran responded by saying it was “exploring opportunities to consider this request.”
— While the United States and its European allies have previously threatened to pass another binding resolution against Iran, diplomats say that will not happen this time for reasons including avoiding diplomatic escalation with Iran while attention remains focused on Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaze, the agency points out.
Earlier, Iran announced the lifting of the UN embargo on missile sales, despite the extension of EU restrictions.
