Iran expands supply of near-weapons-grade uranium, watchdog says

Voice of America News reports: “The U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran has expanded its stockpile of uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels, a move made in defiance of international demands, and has continued to allow the agency’s most experienced nuclear inspectors access to the country’s nuclear program.

News agencies saw the International Atomic Energy Agency’s confidential report Thursday.

Nuclear diplomacy with Iran has been at a near-standstill with the recent election of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in the report sent to member states Thursday that he hoped ‘his initial exchange with Pezeshkian will be followed by an early visit to Iran and the establishment of a fluid, constructive dialogue that swiftly leads to concrete results.’

The report revealed that as of August 17, Iran had 164.7 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 22.6 kilograms since the IAEA’s last report in May.

Uranium enriched up to 60% purity falls short of the 90% target needed for weapons-grade uranium. Iranian officials have increasingly threatened that they could pursue atomic weapons…”

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