Iran is edging dangerously close to building an atomic bomb, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealing the alarming discovery of near-weapons-grade uranium at an Iranian nuclear site, Bloomberg reported on Sunday.
Revelations
Senior IAEA officials told Bloomberg that the agency’s inspectors discovered traces of uranium enriched to 84% purity, just shy of 90% — the level required to manufacture a nuclear weapon.
#BREAKING#Iran Nuclear Inspectors Detect Uranium Enriched to 84% Purity
— Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) February 19, 2023
IAEA probes accumulation of material just shy of bomb-grade
Inspectors are preparing quarterly safeguards report on Iran
Note: This is the result of Biden/EU appeasement of Tehran.https://t.co/JO98rB8HXM
Officials are not clear if Tehran intentionally produced the enriched material or whether it is “an unintended accumulation within the network of pipes connecting the hundreds of fast-spinning centrifuges used to separate the isotopes.”
Nonetheless, the report notes that it is the second time this month that the IAEA has “detected suspicious enrichment related activities.”
Iran’s Nuclear Acceleration
According to the IAEA, Iran has been enriching uranium to 60% purity across several nuclear sites, including Natanz and the underground Fordow facility. This will allow Tehran to quickly reach the minimum weapons-grade level of 25 kg of 90% enriched uranium required to manufacture one nuclear bomb.
The latest discovery further reduces the already short timeline required for Iran to manufacture a nuclear weapon.
Also Read | Restoring the Iran Nuclear Deal to its 2015 Format is Pointless
In November 2021, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) announced that it has begun enriching uranium to 60% purity and installed a new set of advanced IR-6 centrifuges to enable “a massive ramp-up in output.” According to the IAEA, Iran has rapidly increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to around 70 kilogrammes.
“Anti-Iran” Resolution
Tehran has said its moves are in retaliation to an “anti-Iran” resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, which censured Iran for refusing agency inspectors to conduct a probe into the discovery of undeclared uranium traces at several nuclear sites.
Also Read | Is Israel Justified in Opposing a Nuclear Deal with Iran?
The resolution — drafted by the US, the UK, France, and Germany — said it is “essential and urgent” that Iran comply with the investigation “without delay,” and called on Tehran to explain the source of the uranium traces.
Iran’s Reaction
AEOI chief Behrouz Kamalvandi told the state-run IRNA news agency that the IAEA is “distorting” facts, as the existence of uranium particles with over 60% purity does not mean that there is enrichment over 60%.
"The presence of uranium particles enriched to above 60%... does not mean that uranium is being enriched to above 60%."
— Kian Sharifi (@KianSharifi) February 19, 2023
That's what the spox of Iran's atomic energy org said this evening in response to reports that IAEA inspectors had detected uranium enriched to 84% purity. https://t.co/ZhpxbM3USC
“Unfortunately, the IAEA has turned into a tool of pressure in the hands of certain elements,” Kamalvandi noted, adding that this “will negatively affect the prestige and credibility of the important international organisation.” He further claimed, “The Zionist regime [Israel] and the arrogant states attempt to make the utmost misuse of the prevailing condition of the IAEA.”