Fact Check: The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has amassed enough uranium enriched at levels just below weapons-grade to potentially make nine nuclear bombs.

Fact Check: "The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has amassed enough uranium enriched at levels just below weapons-grade to potentially make nine nuclear bombs."

What We Know

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran possesses a significant stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is close to the weapons-grade threshold of 90%. According to a recent IAEA report, Iran has accumulated enough of this enriched uranium to potentially produce nine nuclear bombs. This claim aligns with previous assessments, indicating that Iran's nuclear program has been expanding since the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, leading to increased enrichment activities (BBC, Reuters).

The IAEA's findings have raised alarms among member states, particularly as Iran's enrichment levels have significantly exceeded the limits set by the JCPOA, which capped enrichment at 3.67% for civilian nuclear power purposes (BBC). The agency's board of governors formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years, citing Iran's failure to cooperate fully with the agency and provide necessary information about its nuclear activities (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that Iran has amassed enough uranium to potentially create nine nuclear bombs is supported by credible sources, including the IAEA itself. The agency's director, Rafael Grossi, has publicly stated that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity is substantial enough to facilitate the production of multiple nuclear weapons (BBC, BBC).

The reliability of the IAEA as a source is high, given its status as an international watchdog responsible for monitoring nuclear programs and ensuring compliance with non-proliferation treaties. However, it is important to note that Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has criticized the IAEA's findings as politically motivated (BBC, AP News).

The context of the claim is also critical. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran has progressively breached the agreement's restrictions, leading to an increase in its uranium enrichment activities (Reuters, AP News). This escalation has occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly following recent military strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities (BBC, Reuters).

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that the IAEA reported Iran has enough uranium enriched at levels just below weapons-grade to potentially make nine nuclear bombs is accurate. The evidence from the IAEA and corroborating reports from reputable news sources confirm that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has reached a level that poses significant concerns regarding nuclear proliferation.

Sources

1. Centrifuges at Iran's Natanz site likely destroyed, nuclear ...
2. Global watchdog finds Iran failing to meet nuclear obligations
3. Exclusive: Iran dramatically accelerating uranium enrichment to near ...
4. Iran: UN nuclear watchdog IAEA concerned over uranium stockpile - BBC
5. Explainer: How much damage have Israeli strikes caused ...
6. Iran further increases its stockpile of uranium enriched to near ...
7. Iran announces a new nuclear enrichment site after UN ...
8. Iran accelerates production of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA says ...