Iran increases uranium enrichment by 50% UN supervisors say

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According to the UN's nuclear regulator, Iran has increased its highly abundant uranium inventory by 50%, and even if the country has a dialogue with the United States, it has increased its stake to resolve a quarrel with the West.

As of May 17, Iran has 408.6 kg of uranium enriched to 60% of purity, according to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report obtained by the Financial Times. This has marked a sharp rise of 133.8 kg since February.

Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state known to be enriched to such a high level – due to the huge risk of nuclear proliferation, the IAEA is known as a “issues of serious concern” development. Enrichment to 60% of uranium is slightly lower than weapon grade, usually defined as 90% enrichment.

The escalation was promoted by Oman in the indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States and began in April. Despite five rounds of negotiations, the two sides still have profound differences on Iran's uranium enrichment plan.

The Trump administration insists that Iran must stop all uranium enrichment before lifting sanctions, and Tehran maintains its abundance plan as a sovereign right, describing any rollback as a “red line” that it will not cross.

Analysts warn that increased uranium inventories increased diplomatic stakes and increased urgency for transaction demand, which resolved the crisis.

“If the (IAEA) board adopts resolutions, Iran may retaliate, which puts the progress Tehran and Washington at risk at the negotiating table,” said Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association.

She added that a comprehensive nuclear agreement provides the best way to address IAEA's concerns. “Both the United States and Iran should exercise restraint based on the IAEA report and continue to focus on reaching deals.”

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin bin Hamad al-Busaidi visited Tehran on Saturday to provide “elements of the U.S. proposal.”

Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and in line with the religious ban on nuclear weapons.

But now it has the ability to produce enough nuclear weapons fission material in less than two weeks, experts say.

The IAEA report also reiterates the long-term concern about Iran's lack of transparency. Inspectors said Tehran failed to provide a reliable explanation for undeclared nuclear material found at three locations, part of a long-running investigation by the Watchdog, and therefore could not verify whether the material was consumed, mixed or outside the international safeguards, or outside the international safeguards.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry rejected the Vienna agency's report as a politically motivated, accusing the United States, Britain, France and Germany of pushing for a “repeated, unfair” narrative.

But the unresolved problems highlight the current state of vulnerability in diplomacy. The next few months are crucial as Iran faces potential military threats, especially from Israel, and the possibility of imminent UN sanctions is imminent.

European powers warn that if Iran does not comply with nuclear restrictions, they could trigger a “quick return” mechanism to resume sanctions by October, a move that could greatly escalate tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he prefers diplomatic solutions to the crisis, but warns military action if he can't reach a deal.

Ali Vaez, senior Iranian analyst at the International Crisis Group, warned that if there is no meaningful progress, the negotiation risk collapses, leading to a hostile stalemate in Vienna and New York.

“The agency's report confirms Iran's confusion about unannounced work in the past and the escalating nuclear activities currently,” Vaez said.

“Unless the United States and Iran can make progress in negotiations, diplomatic efforts focused on Muscat and Rome so far are likely to turn to a more controversial and risky deadlock.”