The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has delivered a scathing assessment of Iran’s cooperation with nuclear inspections, warning of inadequate transparency and rising levels of enriched uranium nearing weapons-grade status.
In a detailed report obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the nuclear watchdog criticised Tehran’s level of cooperation as “less than satisfactory,” citing persistent issues with access and answers related to undeclared nuclear sites.
“While Iran continues to cooperate with the agency on matters of routine safeguards implementation, in several respects… its cooperation with the agency has been less than satisfactory,” the IAEA stated.
One of the key concerns raised is Iran’s failure to provide credible explanations for the presence of nuclear materials at undisclosed locations, significantly hindering the agency’s verification efforts.
“In particular, Iran has repeatedly either not answered or not provided technically credible answers to the agency’s questions and has sanitised locations as listed in this report, which has impeded agency verification activities,” the IAEA report added.
Tensions between Iran and the international community over its nuclear programme have steadily grown since former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord, which had eased sanctions in return for limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.
In a separate confidential assessment seen by the Associated Press (AP), the IAEA revealed Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels.
According to the report, as of 17 May, Iran has amassed 408.6kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity—just short of the 90% level required for nuclear weapons production.
This marks a sharp increase from February, when the agency reported Iran’s 60% stockpile at 274.8kg—a rise of nearly 134kg in three months.
The IAEA notes that approximately 42kg of uranium enriched to 60% could be sufficient to produce one atomic bomb, if further refined to weapons-grade levels.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, reiterated the grave concern, saying Iran remains “the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to this level.”
Grossi added on Saturday that he “reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively” with the IAEA’s monitoring and verification missions.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around potential nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, although both sides remain publicly cautious.
On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed reports of an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, insisting that any agreement must ensure full sanctions relief and allow Iran’s nuclear programme to progress without restrictions.
The IAEA’s findings come at a critical diplomatic moment, with Iran’s growing stockpile and opaque cooperation raising alarm bells across Western capitals.
International observers fear Iran’s trajectory could derail efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and deepen instability in the Middle East.
