Current:Home > NewsUN nuclear watchdog report seen by AP says Iran slows its enrichment of near-weapons-grade uranium -FinanceAcademy
UN nuclear watchdog report seen by AP says Iran slows its enrichment of near-weapons-grade uranium
View
Date:2025-04-14 18:07:22
VIENNA (AP) — Iran has slowed its enrichment of uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels, a report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen by The Associated Press said Monday.
The confidential report comes as Iran and the United States are negotiating a prisoner swap and the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korea. Slowing its enrichment of uranium could serve as another sign that Tehran seeks to lower tensions between it and America after years of tensions since the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran has 121.6 kilograms (268 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, a far-slower growth than in previous counts. An IAEA report in May put the stockpile of 60% uranium at just over 114 kilograms (250 pounds). It had 87.5 kilograms (192 pounds) in February.
Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Iran has maintained its program is peaceful, but the IAEA’s director-general has warned Tehran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.
Iran likely would still need months to build a weapon. U.S. intelligence agencies said in March that Tehran “is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities that would be necessary to produce a testable nuclear device.” The IAEA, the West and other countries say Iran had a secret military nuclear program it abandoned in 2003.
Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal limited Tehran’s uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms (661 pounds) and enrichment to 3.67% — enough to fuel a nuclear power plant. The U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 set in motion a series of attacks and escalations by Tehran over its program.
While Iran has slowed the enrichment, the IAEA reported other problems with trying to monitor its program. An IAEA report seen by the AP said Iran had denied visas for agency officials, while the “de-designation of experienced agency inspectors” also challenged its work.
The IAEA also hasn’t been able to access surveillance camera footage since February 2021 under Iranian restrictions, while the only recorded data since June 2022 has been from cameras at a workshop in the Iranian city of Isfahan.
Iran has not acknowledged the visa denials previously. Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the reported visa denials.
___
Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Great Britain swimmer 'absolutely gutted' after 200-meter backstroke disqualification
- Donald Trump’s EPA Chief of Staff Says the Trump Administration Focused on Clean Air and Clean Water
- Captain in 2019 scuba boat fire ordered to pay about $32K to families of 3 of 34 people killed
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Alabama, civic groups spar over law restricting assistance with absentee ballot applications
- A night in Paris shows how far US table tennis has come – and how far it has to go
- Olympics 2024: Simone Biles Reveals She’s Been Blocked by Former Teammate MyKayla Skinner
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Don’t expect a balloon drop quite yet. How the virtual roll call to nominate Kamala Harris will work
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- For Orioles, trade deadline, Jackson Holliday's return reflect reality: 'We want to go all the way'
- Rescuers search through mud and debris as deaths rise to 166 in landslides in southern India
- Philadelphia-area man sentenced to 7 1/2 years for his role in blowing up ATMs during 2020 protests
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Kansas stops enforcing a law against impersonating election officials
- How (and why) Nikola Jokic barely missed triple-double history at 2024 Paris Olympics
- What you need to know about raspberries – and yes, they're good for you
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
Recount to settle narrow Virginia GOP primary between US Rep. Bob Good and a Trump-backed challenger
Nursing home inspections across New Mexico find at least one violation in 88% of facilities
Donald Trump’s EPA Chief of Staff Says the Trump Administration Focused on Clean Air and Clean Water
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
What’s next for Katie Ledecky? Another race and a relay as she goes for more records
Chicago woman of viral 'green dress girl' fame sparks discourse over proper club attire
Keep an eye on your inbox: 25 million student loan borrowers to get email on forgiveness