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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Edith M. Lederer

Iran uranium stockpile could build 10 nuclear bombs UN agency warns

  • The majority of Iran's highly enriched uranium is believed to remain at its Isfahan nuclear complex, a site that has endured airstrikes last year and further attacks during this year's US-Israeli conflict, according to the head of the UN nuclear agency.
  • Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that the agency has satellite images of the airstrike impacts and estimates Iran's stockpile could potentially enable the construction of up to 10 nuclear bombs.
  • IAEA inspections at Isfahan ceased in June 2025 following a 12-day war, with satellite imagery reportedly showing containers of highly enriched uranium entering a tunnel at the site just before the conflict began.
  • The IAEA is discussing with Russia and other nations the potential removal or blending down of Iran's highly enriched uranium, with Donald Trump having discussed this with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • Grossi highlighted that Iran's nuclear program has made 'exponential progress' since 2015, using advanced centrifuges and new facilities, making current negotiations a 'completely different ballgame' requiring political will from Tehran.

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