Iran’s Uranium Stockpile Swelled During Virus Pandemic Lockdown
- Atomic monitors still seeking answers to past nuclear work
- IAEA inspectors say they’re still awaiting access to two sites
A reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.
Source: Handout/Getty Images
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Iran continued its elevated rate of nuclear-fuel production last quarter, even as the coronavirus pandemic forced it to shut down swaths of the economy and international inspectors sought answers about previous nuclear activities.
The country’s store of low-enriched uranium increased to 1,571.6 kilograms (3,465 pounds) over the quarter ending May 20, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency report seen by Bloomberg. That’s more than a 50% jump over the amount stockpiled three months ago, and enough of the heavy metal to create two bombs if Iran chose to enrich the material to weapons grade.