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IAEA Warns Iran’s Enriched-Uranium Accounting Is Long Overdue After Months of Blocked Access

Tehran has not filed the NPT-required status report on bombed sites, stalling inspections pledged under a September Cairo understanding.

Overview

  • In a Nov. 12 confidential report, the IAEA said Iran has refused access to nuclear sites struck in June, leaving required monthly verification of highly enriched uranium past due.
  • The agency reported a loss of continuity of knowledge over Iran’s enriched-uranium inventories and said rebuilding a full picture will be long and difficult.
  • Before the strikes, Iran held an estimated 440.9 kg of uranium hexafluoride enriched up to 60%, enough in principle for roughly ten bombs if further enriched to weapons grade.
  • Inspectors have visited only some of the 13 facilities assessed as unaffected by the attacks and none of the seven affected sites.
  • Iran now considers the Cairo understanding void, and the IAEA cannot inspect the damaged facilities until Iran submits the special status report required under the NPT.