Iran: UN report reveals uranium enrichment stock close to nuclear bomb yardstick

Iran continues to develop its nuclear program in the midst of ongoing negotiations with western powers to revive the nuclear deal. However, a report by the United Nations atomic watchdog revealed that Iran’s stock of enriched uranium is nearing the nuclear bomb threshold.

Reuters reports that the assessment by the UN watchdog published Thursday revealed that Iran’s stock of enriched uranium is increasing to the point that its most enriched material is most likely in the direction of a common bomb yardstick.

The quarterly International Atomic Energy Agency report to member states also comes as talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are said to be in its last stages, with hope for an agreement. Western powers have warned of the limited time before the negotiations become pointless.

The assessment showed that Iran’s stock of enriched uranium that is up to 60 percent purity has since doubled, from 15.5 kilograms to 33.2 kilograms. According to a senior diplomat, it is three-quarters of the amount needed, if it is enriched further, for one nuclear bomb by common definition.

To note, the definition is 25 kilograms of uranium enriched to 90 percent purity is a theoretical standard. How much is needed in real life would depend on other processes that the material would need to undergo to make an actual bomb, according to the diplomat. The total stock Iran has of enriched uranium is now at 3.2 tons, increased from the previous number by 707.4 kilograms on the quarter, according to the assessment.

Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently spoke out regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, as Russian troops continue to go on the offensive. In a televised speech, Khamenei said the war in Ukraine should end, but the blame lies with the policies of the West, especially the “mafia regime” of the US.

The Iranian leader added that two lessons should be learned from the ongoing conflict. One of which is that the West could not be trusted and that it is important to gain popular support.