IAEA head expresses concern over Iran's increased uranium stockpile, enrichment levels

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday expressed concern over Iran's increased uranium stockpile and enrichment levels of up to 60%, saying they "cause me serious concern."

“Following my last report, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U‑235 has increased to 275 kg, up from 182 kg in the past quarter. Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to this level, causing me serious concern,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.

Grossi expressed "serious concern" about unresolved safeguards issues, emphasizing the importance of resolving them so that they can be confident that Iran's nuclear program is "exclusively peaceful."

“There has been no significant progress towards implementing the Joint Statement of 4 March 2023. I call upon Iran urgently to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement,” he added.

On March 4, 2023, Iran and the IAEA agreed to strengthen cooperation, address outstanding safeguards issues, and allow for additional voluntary verification measures, with details to be finalized at a technical meeting.

Meanwhile, Grossi told a press conference at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Monday, "We are always offering Iran ways to clear the record if they believe there is an unjustified doubt. So, I am hoping that this year will bring us closer to having more clarity. I believe this is necessary in light of current international tensions; we must get this back on track.”

Regarding Ukraine, he warned that Ukraine's nuclear safety and security situation remains "highly precarious."

“The presence of the IAEA at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities has been and continues to be an invaluable asset to the international community and must be preserved,” he said.

Grossi said they would require continued support from the European Union, Japan, the US, and many other countries for their activities in Ukraine.

He is not "concerned" about the US withdrawing its support because it has been "very strong, traditionally and historically, supporting" the agency, he remarked.