Iran revving up nuclear program, UN watchdog warns

Iran plans to use thousands of advanced centrifuges to begin enriching uranium at two of its nuclear facilities, according to the Associated Press on Friday, citing a confidential report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA. That report says the activity will take place in facilities at Fordo and Natanz, and will only involve enriching uranium to 5% purity—far lower than the 60% Iran currently does, according to the Associated Press. The news agency speculates that it’s a sign the Islamic State wishes to negotiate with the West and President-elect Donald Trump.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed earlier this month that Iran’s stockpile of heavily enriched uranium has grown continuously since his previous report in June. Grossi visited the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear sites in early November and briefed the United Nations Board of Governors about his visit last week. He noted an increase in the country’s store of 20% and 60% enriched uranium but did not specify the amount.

Grossi also shared concerns about Iran’s violations of agreed-upon UN safeguards. Iranian leaders insisted that all nuclear materials and activities had been disclosed, but scientifically altered uranium particles were later discovered at undeclared locations, Grossi noted. The Islamic nation must enact safeguards to assure world leaders that the program is peaceful, the director general said. The UN’s nuclear agency will continue to discuss the elimination of Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, something Grossi says the Iranian state has agreed to do.

Why do the country’s uranium stores matter? Uranium is a natural radioactive element essential for the production of nuclear power. Most nuclear power projects are fueled by a specific isotope, small amounts of which can be found in natural uranium. Nuclear scientists put the element through an enrichment process to increase the isotopes needed to produce nuclear power. Most reactors at nuclear power plants use 3% to 5% enriched uranium, according to the World Nuclear Association. Uranium enriched by more than 20% is used to power nuclear weapons or submarines, according to Grossi’s agency.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s report on how President Joe Biden will leave Iranian relations before leaving office.