Grossi Expresses Serious Concern Over Increased Stockpile of Enriched Uranium in Iran

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed 'serious' concern to the Agency's Board of Governors that the amount of Iran's enriched uranium at a 60% concentration has increased to 275 kilograms. This level of enriched uranium could quickly be upgraded to 90%, which is only applicable for the construction of nuclear weapons and is sufficient for making six atomic bombs. Over the past three months, Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has entered a rapid upward trend, potentially sufficient for building another bomb each month. This amount does not consider the lower concentrations of 20% or less that Iran possesses. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, told representatives of the member countries of the Agency's Board during a meeting on Monday, March 4, at the UN nuclear watchdog's headquarters in Vienna, that after his last report (which was presented in November 2024), Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has increased to 275 kilograms. This amount was 182 kilograms in Mr. Grossi's previous report to the Agency. He stated that Iran is 'the only non-nuclear country that enriches to this extent, and this is a serious concern for me.' Mr. Grossi reminded that it has been four years since Iran ceased its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, including the Additional Protocol, and expressed 'serious concern' that safeguards issues remain 'unresolved.' He stated that these issues must be resolved for the Agency to reach a position that guarantees Iran's nuclear program is purely peaceful. The Director General expressed 'deep regret' that Iran, despite indicating a willingness to consider the appointment of four more experienced inspectors from the Agency, did not accept the appointments. He, who traveled to Tehran four months ago, also expressed hope to soon meet again with Masoud Pezeshkian, the President, and Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to pursue 'tangible results.' Iran and the Agency signed a joint statement two years ago during the administration of Ebrahim Raisi, committing Iran to serious interaction and cooperation with the Agency. However, Rafael Grossi stated on Monday that the contacts made so far to implement that statement have had 'no significant progress.' Under Mr. Grossi's oversight, the Agency reported last week that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of high-level enriched uranium over the past three months, sufficient for six atomic bombs. Previously, the Agency's Board, on December 1, based on a joint proposal from Britain, France, and Germany and with the support of the Biden administration, passed a resolution calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate immediately with the Agency. European countries have warned Tehran regarding support for the reactivation of the trigger mechanism. Israel and some American sources claim that Iran may have potentially advanced its nuclear program beyond the IAEA's assessment and enriched uranium at high levels, which could allow for the construction of more smaller nuclear bombs. According to the Jerusalem Post in Israel, it is unclear whether Donald Trump will leave Israel's hand open for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear program sites in the coming months. In the early days of his return to the White House, Donald Trump stated several times that his only demand is that Iran does not have a nuclear bomb. Mr. Trump has called on the leaders of the Islamic Republic to negotiate by reviving the 'maximum pressure' mechanism to intensify sanctions against Iran, but the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has emphasized that there will be no negotiations. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President, who had recommended negotiations with the U.S. to solve Iran's crisis-ridden economy, stated on March 1 in a speech at the Islamic Consultative Assembly that 'the leader does not agree to negotiations, and we said: yes.' The Israel Hayom newspaper, a supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, wrote last week that as long as Donald Trump does not say he is disappointed with negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and will not act through diplomacy, Israel will not attack Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to insist that its nuclear program has not shifted towards producing a nuclear bomb. Ebrahim Rezai, the spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated on Monday in Tehran that his country has the capability to produce nuclear weapons and if it goes towards that, 'it will have the courage to state it.' This spokesman claimed that the Agency is a 'tool' in the hands of the U.S. and Israel.