Iran resumes high rate of enriched uranium production, worries IAEA

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, tensions continue to rise in the Middle East and fears of the extension of the conflict are increasing. As in Iran, where the pace of enriched uranium production has resumed.

From 3 to 9 kg per month: the Tehran regime seems to continue its nuclear escalation, even if it denies wanting to acquire the bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a press release on Tuesday, December 26 . “The country has increased its production of highly enriched uranium in recent weeks, after slowing the pace since mid-2023“, worries the global nuclear policeman.

In fact, Iran has accelerated its production of uranium enriched to 60% to around 9 kg per month since the end of November, which “represents an increase from the approximately 3 kg produced per month since June and a return to the monthly rate of 9 kg during the first half of 2023“, according to the IAEA.

Pressure on Israel

The slowdown in the pace of production to 60%, a threshold close to the 90% needed to make an atomic bomb, was seen by experts as a gesture, while informal talks had resumed with the United States. However, in recent months, animosity has risen a notch with the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas, which Washington and Tehran mutually accuse each other of aggravating.

Through this nuclear escalation, Iran is increasing the pressure on Israel, and more broadly on Western countries, also putting on the ground with its ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, which is carrying out actions on the Israeli-Lebanese border, or even by supporting the Yemeni Houthi rebels who claim several attacks against ships in the Red Sea.

In November, a confidential IAEA report indicated that stocks of enriched uranium in Iran exceeded by 22 times the limit authorized by the 2015 international agreement governing Tehran’s atomic activities, in exchange for a lifting of international sanctions .