The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not know the whereabouts of 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% that Iran had in storage before strikes on the country's nuclear facilities, warning that the lack of access to verify the material must be resolved with 'the utmost urgency'.
In a report released on Tuesday, the IAEA stated that the absence of information on Iran's nuclear material and the inability to access facilities to verify it constitute 'a matter of proliferation concern'.
The IAEA has had no access to Iran's main nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan since the 12-day war launched by Israel, with United States support, in June 2025. The facilities were struck during those attacks and have again been targeted by military operations since the start of the current conflict with Washington, which began on 28 February.
The agency considers that the military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities have created an 'unprecedented situation' and argues that its inspectors must resume verification activities as quickly as possible. Such inspections are mandated under the safeguards agreement concluded within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Iran acceded several decades ago.
The IAEA has repeatedly demanded access to Iranian nuclear sites. The agency's Director General, Rafael Grossi, reiterated that issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme must be resolved through a durable and verifiable diplomatic agreement.
Prior to the June 2025 strikes, the IAEA estimated that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had reached 440.9 kg, an increase of 32.3 kg compared with the figure recorded on 17 May of the same year.
Uranium enriched to 60% is close to the 90% level generally associated with weapons-grade material, though it also has civilian applications. The size and location of Iran's stockpile are therefore considered central issues in international monitoring of Tehran's nuclear programme.
Grossi stated in June that the 'general impression' was that the material remained near the Isfahan fuel enrichment facility, where it had been held before the June 2025 attacks. However, the IAEA has been unable to confirm this due to the lack of access.
The agency also said it does not know whether Iran has suspended uranium enrichment activities, including those related to research and development. Inspectors are likewise unaware whether Tehran has halted all nuclear fuel reprocessing activities, and do not have updated information on enriched uranium stockpiles, centrifuge inventories, or other equipment associated with the nuclear programme.
Israel and the United States have for years accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran rejects the allegations, insisting its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and asserting its right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes.
One of Washington's key demands for ending the conflict with Tehran is that the Islamic Republic abandon its nuclear programme.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/02/mundo-en/aiea-desconhece-paradeiro-de-mais-de-440-kg-de-uranio-enriquecido-do-irao/
