Iran Will Not Increase 60% Uranium Stocks 'Provided' the IAEA Board Resolution is Lifted

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported a renewed increase in Iran's 60% enriched uranium reserves but stated that Iran has recently promised not to increase its high-concentration uranium reserves further, provided that the IAEA Board does not issue a resolution against Tehran. According to a quarterly report prepared by Rafael Grossi for the IAEA Board, parts of which were published by some Western news agencies on Tuesday, November 29, he specified that as of October 26, more than three weeks ago, Iran had approximately 182.3 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, which is 17.6 kilograms more than in August. Mr. Grossi recently traveled to Iran to convince Iranian officials to increase cooperation and alleviate the agency's concerns. Rafael Grossi stated that 'technical inspections' of nuclear facilities are not up for discussion. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, announced during a meeting with the IAEA Director General that Tehran is ready to cooperate and align with this international body to 'clarify ambiguities and doubts' regarding Iran's nuclear activities. According to the agency's assessment, Iran's 60% enriched uranium reserves, which are very close to the 90% level required for nuclear bomb production, have the potential to produce several nuclear bombs. The agency estimates that about 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% could be sufficient for constructing one nuclear bomb if further enriched to 90%. Mr. Grossi noted in his quarterly report that the Islamic Republic has begun initial steps to not increase its 60% uranium reserves. Reuters reported, citing senior diplomats, that Iran's proposal to halt the growth of its uranium reserves at 185 kilograms is conditional on the cancellation of a proposed resolution by Western powers against Iran at this week's IAEA Board meeting. The IAEA Board meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, November 30, and according to Reuters, European powers are seeking to issue a resolution against Iran at this meeting. Hours before the content of this report was revealed, Agence France-Presse also reported, citing diplomats, that European powers, with U.S. support, intend to pass a resolution in the Board that criticizes Iran's weak cooperation with the agency. The Associated Press also quoted a diplomat stating that if a resolution is issued against Iran in the Board, Tehran is likely to not adhere to its commitment to not increase its 60% uranium reserves. Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, threatened in a television interview on November 27 that if a resolution is passed in this council, Iran will take 'reciprocal action.' The agency has repeatedly criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with this body and for not providing credible responses to previous questions in its quarterly reports. The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of October 26, Iran's total enriched uranium reserves have exceeded 6,604 kilograms, which is 852 kilograms more than in August. Araqchi warned about the 'critical conditions' of the one year remaining until the expiration of the JCPOA and the possible actions by Europe to activate the snapback mechanism. At the same time, Ahmad Nadri, a member of the Iranian Parliament's presiding board, told ILNA news agency: 'We will not achieve regional balance until we move towards a nuclear bomb.' Resolution 2231 of the UN Security Council, which endorsed the JCPOA, will expire on October 18, 2025 (26 Mehr 1404), and nuclear restrictions against Iran will end. The 'snapback' mechanism allows for the immediate and automatic re-imposition of UN Security Council sanctions under specific conditions if Iran deviates from its nuclear commitments.