Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
[May 31, 2025]
By STEPHANIE LIECHTENSTEIN
VIENNA (AP)
— Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near
weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog
said Saturday and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply
with the agency’s probe. |

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic
Energy Agency, speaks to journalists attending a weeklong seminar at the
agency in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon
Gambrell) |
The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington
have been holding several rounds of talks over a possible
nuclear deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to
reach.
The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy
Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as
of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of
uranium enriched up to 60%. That’s an increase of 133.8
kilograms (294.9 pounds) since the IAEA’s last report in
February.
That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade
levels of 90%. A report in February put the stockpile at 274.8
kilograms (605.8 pounds).
The IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi has stressed repeatedly
that “Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to
this level.”
On Saturday, Grossi said he “reiterates his urgent call upon
Iran to cooperate fully and effectively” with the IAEA.
On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation
about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States,
emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and
allow the country’s nuclear program to continue.
The comments came a day after Trump said he has told Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran
to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new
nuclear deal with Tehran.
Trump said on Friday that he still thinks a deal could be
completed in the “not too distant future.”
“They don’t want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal,”
Trump said of Iran. He added, “That would be a great thing that
we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the
Middle East.”
Trump said he’s warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
from carrying out preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear program,
while the talks are playing out.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|