Iran’s nuclear stockpile surges by 16% amid escalating tensions with Israel
A worker rides a bicycle in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southwestern Iran. (Photo by Majid Asgaripour/AP)
Iran’s nuclear fuel levels have seen a significant rise over the past three months, raising concerns amid escalating tensions with Israel.
According to a 13-page restricted report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) circulated among diplomats and obtained by Bloomberg, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium surged by 16% between June and August.
This amount is reportedly sufficient to fuel several nuclear warheads if Tehran were to decide to pursue weapons development.
IAEA warns of increased risks amid growing nuclear stockpile
“The continued production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to do so, adds to the agency’s concerns,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated in the report. He also pointed out that Iran has continued obstructing the agency’s monitoring efforts.
The IAEA’s report is the first to be released since Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian took office in July. Pezeshkian, a reformist, has expressed an interest in reviving diplomatic efforts regarding the country’s nuclear activities. However, regional observers remain concerned about the potential for military conflict with Israel, particularly in light of recent escalations.
Escalating tensions with Israel: Impact on regional stability
Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas and the exchange of missile strikes with Iran-backed Hezbollah have further complicated the situation. Tensions escalated when Iran accused Israel of assassinating Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, vowing retaliation. Israel has not confirmed responsibility for the killing.
Upcoming IAEA board meeting to address Iran’s compliance
The IAEA report comes ahead of a Sept. 9 board meeting in Vienna, where Iran faces increasing diplomatic pressure to cooperate with inspectors.
In June, the board passed a resolution censuring Iran, a step that could eventually lead to a referral to the U.N. Security Council for further action.
According to the IAEA inspectors, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity – an enrichment level close to weapons-grade – rose from 142 kilograms in June to 165 kilograms in August. The amount of 20%-enriched uranium also increased from 751 kilograms to 814 kilograms during the same period.
