IAEA Report
Consultations Halted After President Raisi's Death
WSJ "US Passive in Responding to Iran's Nuclear Activities"
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on the 27th (local time) that Iran, which is under U.S. economic sanctions, has recently increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Following the death of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, practical negotiations on nuclear inspections have also been suspended, raising concerns about nuclear proliferation.
According to foreign media including the AP News, the IAEA reported in its report on the same day that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium was 142.1 kg as of the 11th. This is an increase of 20.6 kg (17%) compared to the stockpile presented in the IAEA's February report. Uranium enriched up to 60% can typically be used to manufacture nuclear bombs within two weeks after additional enrichment processes. Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was 6,201.3 kg, showing an increase of 675.8 kg (12%) compared to the previous report.
Since the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signed in 2015 was abandoned during former President Donald Trump's administration in 2018, Iran has been increasing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The agreement at the time was based on lifting economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for Iran halting its nuclear weapons development efforts.
Accordingly, Iran is suspected by the international community of attempting to manufacture nuclear weapons. There are even allegations that secret nuclear activities are underway at undeclared facilities within Iran.
Iran is known to be passive in responding to the IAEA's verification requests. The IAEA explained, "We requested answers regarding two locations within Iran where secret nuclear activities are believed to have taken place, including the origin of uranium particles detected at those sites, but Iran did not respond."
The IAEA also explained that practical negotiations between Iran and the agency have effectively been suspended following the death of former President Raisi in a helicopter crash on the 19th. The report pointed out, "If Iran does not comply with the IAEA's requests, it is impossible to confirm Iran's declaration that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Since June 2022, when Iran removed surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities, there has been no progress on reinstalling the equipment."
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S., ahead of the November elections, is taking a passive stance on Iran's advancing nuclear program. When the UK and France announced plans to push a resolution condemning Iran over nuclear proliferation concerns at the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting next month, the U.S. opposed it and reportedly pressured other member states to abstain.
The WSJ added, "While European countries and the U.S. are at odds over Iran's nuclear activities, Iran has effectively become a nuclear-armed state and could even possess nuclear weapons."
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