A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran ramped up its highly enriched uranium reserves to near-weapons grade just before Israel’s June 13 offensive, raising fears of a nuclear breakout.
Iran has sharply escalated its nuclear program, according to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report obtained by the Associated Press.
As of June 13, Iran held 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity — a level just shy of weapons-grade. This marks an increase of 32.3 kilograms in a single month, bringing Tehran dangerously closer to the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons.
The IAEA noted that 42 kilograms of 60% uranium could be sufficient for one nuclear bomb if refined further. Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile now stands at 9,874.9 kilograms, up by more than 627 kilograms since May.
The findings come as inspectors face unprecedented restrictions: since the outbreak of hostilities and Israeli–U.S. strikes in June, they have only been permitted to visit the Russian-supported Bushehr plant. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that Tehran’s curbs on inspections are “deeply regrettable,” underscoring international fears over a potential nuclear breakout scenario.
With verification blocked since mid-June, the world’s nuclear watchdog says Iran’s accelerating program poses a “serious concern” for global security.
