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The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), released a report on Thursday that stated that as of the 19th February, Iran had enriched an estimated 3,197kg of uranium; more than 15 times the limit set out in the original 2015 nuclear deal.
It has been reported that 33.2kg of the Iranian stockpile is enriched to 60% fissile purity; a significant step toward the 90% purity required to make a nuclear bomb. The JCPOA nuclear deal signed in 2015 only permits Iran to enrich uranium to 3.67% purity.
On Saturday Director General Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, is set to travel to Iran to undertake meetings with senior Iranian officials. The announcement of the visit comes a day after Grossi vowed that the IAEA would “never abandon” its attempts to get Iran to explain the previous presence of nuclear material at several undeclared sites. Iran has stated that this probe for information must end in order for them to sign a new nuclear agreement.
Talks between Iran and world powers to revive the nuclear agreement are still underway in Vienna since resuming in November 2021. Many, including Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated that the negotiations have reached a “critical and important stage”.
Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon. Liz Truss MP, in November 2021, underlined that “all options are on the table” to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. Tehran has progressively abandoned its commitments to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal after then-US President Donald Trump pulled the USA out in 2018, prompting Washington to impose fresh sanctions in response.
