IAEA Reports Increase in Iran's 60% Enriched Uranium; Grossi Optimistic About Meeting with President Pezeshkian

According to reports, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has indicated in two confidential reports that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels has increased, and he has expressed hope for an upcoming meeting with Iran's new president to achieve tangible results. According to the IAEA's confidential report, which was reflected in several news agencies including the Associated Press on Thursday, September 8, Iran possessed 'more than 164 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%' as of August 27 this year. This amount is about 22 kilograms more than what was reported three months ago. Uranium enriched to 60% is only one technical step away from the 90% enrichment level used for weapons. The IAEA's report, which is the latest quarterly report from this international body, indicates that the stockpile of uranium at levels close to the threshold necessary for building an atomic bomb has been continuously increasing in Iran, while discussions to improve cooperation between Iran and the IAEA have also stalled. The new IAEA report also notes that Iran has yet to respond to questions regarding the origin and location of uranium particles found near Tehran. This confidential report comes as Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, stated on September 6 during a meeting with members of the fourteenth government that 'there is no contradiction in interacting with the enemy in some places, but we should not have hope and trust in them.' These remarks were interpreted as favorable for renewed negotiations with the U.S., while the Supreme Leader also set red lines for any negotiations under President Pezeshkian's administration, warning that the U.S. is not trustworthy. The new report from the IAEA's Director General was released less than ten days before the start of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting. Meanwhile, AFP reported that Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, expressed hope in another confidential report to the Board of Governors regarding his upcoming trip to Iran. According to this report, Mr. Grossi stated that he hopes to establish 'a constructive dialogue that quickly leads to tangible results' during his meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president of Iran. Mr. Grossi congratulated Mr. Pezeshkian on his election as Iran's new president earlier in August and announced his readiness to travel to Tehran for 'resuming dialogue and cooperation between the Agency and Iran.' Although the Islamic Republic's president indicated his agreement to meet with Mr. Grossi in response to this message, there has been no dialogue with the IAEA Director General since then. The previous IAEA report, presented in June, led to a resolution by the Board of Governors that called on Iran to stop enrichment above the limits set in the JCPOA and to pursue full cooperation with the Agency's inspectors. This resolution, drafted by Britain, France, and Germany, also requested that Iran provide credible answers to the Agency's inspectors regarding suspicious aspects of its nuclear program.