The Islamic Republic of Iran has increased its stockpile of near weapons-grade enriched uranium, according to a new report from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The report, seen by the Associated Press, says that the country has increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium from 121.5 kilograms to 142.1 kilograms in just the last few months.
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) notes that 99% of the effort required to build weapons-grade uranium happens in the phase of enriching it to 60%. The last phase, boosting it to weapons-grade enrichment levels of 90%+, makes up “the last 1% of the effort needed to produce the fuel for a nuclear weapon.” This period, known as “breakout time,” only takes 7 days.
The news comes as Iran started enriching uranium to 20% and 60% and stockpiling both after the November 2020 elections.
Under President Joe Biden — who has relaxed sanctions enforcement against the country that has resulted in tens of billions of dollars flowing to the country, which is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism — Iran has amassed unprecedented levels of enriched uranium in violation of international law.
“IAEA’s latest reporting shows Iran is steadily increasing its proximity to nuclear weapons. The Biden admin. naively believes Tehran is undertaking restraint via indirect talks and U.S. sanctions relief,” said Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director & Research Fellow of FDD’s Nonproliferation & Biodefense program.
“Yet the regime is taking a ‘boiling the frog’ approach to nuclear breakout,” she added. “By the time Washington realizes it, the frog will be cooked and the regime will have a nuclear deterrent.”
Stricker told The Daily Wire that as of February, Iran had enough enriched uranium to produce 13 weapons after the uranium is enriched to 90%. The regime could produce nearly four weapons right now using just its stock of 60% enriched uranium.
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