Iranian protesters hold signs outside the Omani embassy, which is hosting the fifth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, in Rome on May 23, 2025. (Credit: Andreas Solaro/AFP)
Iran has accelerated the pace of its production of 60% enriched uranium — a level close to the 90% required to make a nuclear weapon — according to a confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP on Saturday.
As of May 17, Iran’s stockpile had reached 408.6 kg, marking an increase of 133.8 kg over the past three months (compared to a rise of 92 kg in the previous period).
"This significant increase in production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran — the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing such material — is a matter of serious concern," the agency wrote in its report.
In a second, more detailed report prepared at the request of Western countries following their critical resolution in November, and also viewed by AFP on Saturday, the IAEA criticized Iran's cooperation as "less than satisfactory."
"Iran has repeatedly either failed to respond or failed to provide technically credible answers to the agency's questions and has cleaned up sites," the report states, adding that these actions have hindered verification efforts at three undeclared sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad.
Western countries — led by the United States — and Israel, Iran’s arch-enemy and believed by experts to be the only nuclear-armed power in the Middle East, suspect Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran denies having any military nuclear ambitions and insists on its right to civilian nuclear energy, as provided under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Iran is a signatory.
Despite four decades of hostility, Tehran and Washington held a fifth round of talks in Rome on May 23, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman.
Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi and his U.S. counterpart Steve Witkoff parted ways without significant progress but expressed willingness to continue discussions.
No date has yet been set for the next round of talks.
Iran has accelerated the pace of its production of 60% enriched uranium — a level close to the 90% required to make a nuclear weapon — according to a confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP on Saturday.As of May 17, Iran’s stockpile had reached 408.6 kg, marking an increase of 133.8 kg over the past three months (compared to a rise of 92 kg in the previous period)."This significant increase in production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran — the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing such material — is a matter of serious concern," the agency wrote in its report.In a second, more detailed report prepared at the request of Western countries following their critical resolution in November, and also viewed by AFP on Saturday, the IAEA criticized Iran's...
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