Iran Agrees to Halt Near Weapons-Grade Uranium Production; Stockpile Enough for Four Bombs, IAEA Says

Nov 19, 2024, 03:48 PM

Iran has agreed to stop producing uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels and to consider accepting four additional experienced inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to the agency's reports. The IAEA confirmed that Iran has started preparatory measures aimed at halting the increase of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, which is near the 90% required for weapons-grade material. Despite this development, the IAEA reports that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% has increased by 17.6 kg since August, reaching a total of 182.3 kg, enough for four nuclear bombs if further enriched. The total enriched uranium stockpile is estimated to have grown by 852.6 kg since the last quarterly report, totaling 6,604.4 kg as of October 26. Iran is now just a short technical step away from weapons-grade uranium. The agreement includes allowing experienced IAEA inspectors to verify compliance with nuclear non-proliferation agreements.