The IAEA, the United Nations watchdog on nuclear matters, reports that Iran is expanding its uranium enrichment activities and approaching the 60% purity level frequently cited as a threshold for weapons-grade material. The information comes from a confidential briefing in Vienna that independent observers have studied. The briefing indicates that as of May 15, 60% enriched uranium totaled 43.1 kilograms, up 23.7% since the start of March, which marked the date of the prior quarterly update.
Over the most recent weeks, there has also been a notable rise in enrichment at the 20% level, with inventories increasing from 182.1 kilograms to 238.4 kilograms, roughly a 31% gain since early March.
medical purposes
Iran argues that 60% enrichment is needed to produce certain medical radiopharmaceuticals and related technologies, framing the higher purity as essential for specific medical applications and research needs.
Across enrichment levels of 2%, 5%, 20%, and 60%, the total stockpile is about 3,491.8 kilograms as of mid-May. This overall total exceeds the 300 kilograms permitted under the 2015 agreement known as the JCPOA, a pact formed with the United States and several other powers. Iran contends that the limits and monitoring provisions of the JCPOA must be revisited in light of its national requirements and regional security considerations.
As the stockpile grows, Iran continues to produce fissile material that can serve both civilian and military purposes. Verification by IAEA inspectors faces restricted access to Iranian sites, and routine monitoring on Iranian soil remains constrained. The agency has noted continued restrictions on the types of facilities that can be visited and on sharing electronic monitoring data related to uranium production.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has pointed out that these limitations, set in February 2021, significantly limit the agency’s ability to verify compliance and maintain robust oversight inside Iran. The JCPOA has remained stalled since 2018, when the United States withdrew and reimposed sanctions on Tehran under the administration then led by President Donald Trump.
About a year later, Iran intensified its activities in a way that raised questions about its obligations under the deal. In exchange for sanction relief, Tehran has long sought to expand its nuclear capabilities, a move that has drawn concern from many partners both inside and outside the agreement.
The administration in Washington has continued to pursue efforts to revive the JCPOA, aiming to reach a path to reinstating the agreement. Despite several rounds of diplomacy, progress has been uneven, with Washington maintaining certain designations while Tehran seeks broader concessions. The current landscape reflects a broader global debate on regional security, nonproliferation, and the balance between verification, transparency, and national interests.