Iran has expanded uranium enriched near weapons-grade levels, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a United Nations nuclear watchdog. The confidential report, seen by The Associated Press on Monday, May 27, said that as of May 11, Iran has 313.2 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60% — an increase of 45.4 pounds since its last report in February.
Uranium enriched at 60% purity is reportedly just short of 90%, which is needed for weapons-grade levels. The IAEA warned that the Islamic Republic has stockpiled enough enriched uranium to make “several nuclear bombs.” The 60% enriched uranium Iran holds could be converted full weapons-grade in a matter of days, U.S. officials said.
Meanwhile, Iran has claimed it has no intention to use its nuclear power for weapons.
Tensions have grown between Iran and the IAEA since 2018, the year that former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from Tehran’s nuclear deal. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran agreed to limit enrichment of uranium in exchange for lifted sanctions and United Nation’s inspectors were able to visit Iran’s nuclear sites.
Since then, inspectors have been banned from checking on Iran’s nuclear program. However, the Biden administration has tried to strengthen diplomatic ties with Iran, in line with Obama-era policy.
Now there are reports that the White House and the United States’ European allies are at odds over how to handle the latest revelations with Iran. European Union nations, led by France and the U.K., want to censure Iran.
Some diplomats told The Wall Street Journal that the Biden administration is opposing censure efforts, instead opting to pressure Iran with the possibility of future sanctions. U.S. officials denied the Journal’s report that the United States was lobbying to stop the EU’s censure efforts.
![TASS [🇷🇺-affiliated] logo](https://groundnews.b-cdn.net/interests/1c364c1e553231a17f22d4a16db85a51fb715dd3.jpg)
