Iran nearly tripled enriched uranium stockpile in three months: report

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium over three months in violation of the nuclear deal it signed with other nations, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.

The international agency reported that as of Feb. 19, Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile amounted to 1.1 tons, compared to 372.3 kilograms noted in its last report on Nov. 3, 2019.

The IAEA did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill. 

The report affirms suspicions from European nations still signed on to the nuclear deal, such as Germany, France and Britain, who in January made the formal accusation that Iran broke the 2015 agreement that limited its nuclear program. Previously, European signatories have tried to save what is left with the deal after the U.S. pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and slapped sanctions on the country. 

In response to U.S. sanctions, Iran breached the deal’s restrictions on enriching uranium, despite protests from European countries. The European nations still in the treaty have threatened to impose sanctions of their own.

The IAEA has reportedly confronted Tehran on reports of unclaimed uranium particles discovered in the country. The report specifies three places in the country where they are believed to be storing undeclared uranium.

The agency said the Iranian government responded to its latest concerns in a letter on Jan. 28 that said “Iran will not recognize any allegation on past activities and does not consider itself obliged to respond to such allegations.”