Iran set to ‘dramatically’ increase stockpile of uranium

Iran is poised to “quite dramatically” increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned.

Rafael Grossi made the comment on the sidelines of the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

He said that Iran has begun preparing advanced centrifuge cascades to spin at nuclear facilities to increase its supply of 60% enriched uranium.

It is a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Iran denies that it wants nuclear arms.

“I think it is very concerning,” Mr Grossi said.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the preparations, which he said had begun today.

Inspectors hope to examine what is going on, he added.

Mr Grossi said that Iran is sending a “clear message” after it was recently censured by the IAEA’s board of governors.

“This is a clear message that they are responding to what they feel is pressure,” he told reporters.

Last month, Iran said it would launch “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to the nuclear watchdog’s resolution that censured Tehran for what the agency called a lack of cooperation.

The censure motion – brought by the UK, France, Germany, and the United States at the IAEA’s 35-nation board – follows a similar one in June.

“Quite clearly what has happened is in response to this, this is very clear,” Mr Grossi said, adding: “The significance cannot be underestimated”.

A landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers aimed to give the country relief from crippling sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear programme to prevent it from developing weapons capability.

Tehran kept to the accord, but in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first US presidency, Washington unilaterally pulled out of the agreement and placed heavy sanctions on Iran, leading to the decision to step up its nuclear programme.

Mr Trump returns to office next month.

Iran, the UK, France and Germany agreed last week, at a meeting in Switzerland, to continue talks.