A detailed, classified International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report obtained by Western media has revealed that Iran is continuing its drive toward nuclear breakout.
The findings of the report are to be presented at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on June 9. The United States, UK, France and Germany (the latter three known as the “E3”) plan to submit a resolution at that time to the IAEA Board of Governors that would declare Iran non-compliant with its non-proliferation obligations.
A similar move 20 years ago prompted the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic in 2006.
The report, prepared in response to a request by the IAEA Board of Governors, showed that as of May 17, Iran possesses 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of 60 percent enriched uranium, which can easily and swiftly be upgraded to 90 percent enriched weapons-grade nuclear fuel.
The figure constitutes an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) – nearly 50 percent — of highly enriched uranium since the agency’s last report in February, when Iran’s stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium stood at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds).
In its report, the IAEA tagged the development as a “major proliferation risk.”
In addition, the report noted that Tehran obstructed IAEA investigations into uranium traces found at three undeclared sites suspected of previously housing a covert weapons program – Turquzabad, Varamin and Lavisan-Shian – that appeared to have been “sanitized” to conceal past nuclear development activities.
Iran is the only non-nuclear armed state enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, a level that is irrelevant for civilian purposes, the report added.
IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi has warned several times that Iran possesses enough highly enriched uranium to create “several” nuclear weapons.
Israel warned in a statement on Saturday that the report “serves as a clear warning sign: despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program.”
Iran has repeatedly stated its intention to “wipe the Zionist state (ed: Israel) off the face of the world map.”
