The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran is escalating its uranium enrichment process, a development that comes several months after the Biden administration unfroze $6 billion in oil assets for the country.
In June, Iran had decelerated its uranium enrichment program, a decision that diplomats have linked to negotiations with the Biden administration. However, the IAEA has now revealed in a confidential report that Iran is reversing this slowdown and has recommenced the acceleration of its uranium enrichment process.
The IAEA report, as seen by Reuters, indicates that since June, Iran had been enriching uranium at a rate of approximately 3 kg per month. However, by November, this figure had tripled. The IAEA stated, "[Iran has] increased its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous output reduction from mid-2023. The Agency confirms that, since the end of November 2023, the rate at which Iran has been producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 at these two facilities combined has increased to approximately 9 kg per month."
According to the IAEA report, Iran has now enriched enough uranium up to 60% to manufacture three nuclear bombs, and it could potentially produce more at lower enrichment levels. Uranium enrichment of approximately 90% is considered weapons-grade.
The report also revealed that Iran is carrying out this enrichment process at its Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant in Natanz and its Fordow Fuel Enrichment plant, which is situated inside a mountain near the Natanz region. Despite these activities, Iran continues to publicly deny that it is developing nuclear weapons.
The earlier slowdown in Iran's uranium enrichment process was believed to be a result of negotiations between the Biden administration and Tehran. These discussions led to the unfreezing of $6 billion in previously frozen oil assets and the release of five Iranian nationals in exchange for five American prisoners. Critics have described this deal as essentially a "ransom" payment that would only encourage Iran to behave more aggressively toward the United States.
Requests for comments from the White House and Pentagon have not been responded to as of yet.
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