ALBAWABA- Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported, as tensions with the United States continue to escalate under President Donald Trump.
The nuclear watchdog expressed concern over Tehran’s lack of transparency regarding undeclared uranium traces found at unknown sites, as reported by AFP.
According to the IAEA’s latest assessment, as of February 8, Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has surged to 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds)—an increase of 92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since November.
The material is just a short step away from weapons-grade enrichment levels of 90%. The report underscores that 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium could theoretically be sufficient to produce one atomic bomb if further refined.
In total, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has now reached 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds), up by 1,690 kilograms (3,725.8 pounds) since the last IAEA report.
The agency has flagged the sharp increase as particularly alarming, given that Iran remains the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium to such levels.
However, the Trump administration swiftly responded, warning that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes stated, “President Trump has put the Iran regime on notice by reimposing Maximum Pressure and is committed to ensuring the regime never gets a nuclear weapon.”
He reiterated Trump’s willingness to negotiate a comprehensive agreement but emphasized that sanctions on Iran’s oil sales and other sectors would remain in place.
Trump’s hardline approach to Iran dates back to his first term, when he unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.
The original agreement had capped Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67% purity and limited its stockpile to 300 kilograms. The latest IAEA report indicates that Iran has now vastly exceeded both limits.
Notably, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority over state policies, has sent conflicting messages on potential negotiations with Washington.
While he previously suggested there was “no harm” in diplomatic engagement with the U.S., he later dismissed the idea as “unwise and dishonorable” after Trump floated the possibility of renewed nuclear talks.
