Institute for Science and International Security Claims: The Islamic Republic Has the Capability to Build Nuclear Weapons

The Institute for Science and International Security claimed in a report published on Monday in the Washington Free Beacon that the Islamic Republic has made significant advancements in its nuclear capabilities and can produce "10 nuclear warheads" in just "four months." This claim comes at a time when no American officials have reacted to it, confirming or denying it. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the report indicates a significant increase in the Islamic Republic's nuclear weapon production capacity compared to 2020, when it took longer to build a nuclear weapon. The research shows that the Islamic Republic can produce enough weapon-grade uranium for six nuclear weapons in one month, eight nuclear weapons in two months, nine nuclear weapons in three months, and ten nuclear weapons in four months. The report states that despite some efforts by the Islamic Republic to slow down uranium enrichment and reduce some stockpile percentages, the situation has worsened. The ambiguity of the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities for international inspectors, along with its "refusal to update information," hinders the verification of the "peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program." Earlier, Voice of America reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that there has been "no progress" in implementing the activities outlined in a recent joint statement with the Islamic Republic. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported to the Board of Governors on Monday that "unfortunately, there has been no progress in implementing the activities outlined in the joint statement signed on March 4 in Tehran." Grossi emphasized that Iran still needs to provide credible technical explanations for the presence of human-origin uranium particles found in Varamin and Torqozabad and inform the Agency of the current locations of related nuclear materials and/or contaminated equipment. He stated that the Islamic Republic must also resolve the existing discrepancies in the nuclear material balance assessment related to the "uranium conversion facilities" and implement the "revised Code 3.1." Last Monday, Reuters, citing a report from the Agency, which it had managed to view, reported that Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles up to 60% purity, despite some dilution, continue to increase, although the rate of growth has slowed. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, recently stated that the production of uranium enriched to 60% by the Islamic Republic has "no credible peaceful purpose." Mehran Mostafavi stated that the Islamic Republic is only seeking to negotiate with the West through its costly nuclear program. Ali Vaez noted that the resumption of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may be possible, but it does not mean the revival of the JCPOA. Grossi reiterated that the Islamic Republic must explain the uranium found in Varamin and Torqozabad. The Board of Governors meeting has begun; the Islamic Republic's nuclear program remains on the agenda. Reuters reported that Iran and the U.S. are on the verge of a prisoner exchange mediated by Qatar. A judicial official of the Islamic Republic stated that details of the prisoner exchange will be announced "upon the full implementation of the agreements." The U.S. stated that uranium enrichment up to 60% has "no credible peaceful purpose." The National Security Advisor of the White House defended the Biden administration's policy, stating that they have prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The U.S. reaction to the IAEA report: waiting for the official release of the report. The Agency reported that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapon-grade is increasing.