The United Nations watchdog told The Associated Press that Iran does not seem to be “actively” enriching uranium. However, the group said they have noticed movement at Iran’s nuclear sites.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi said inspectors have not seen any activity via satellite that shows Iran has accelerated its uranium production. Grossi said enrichment levels were the same before the 12-day war with Israel began in June.
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“However, the nuclear material enriched at 60% is still in Iran. And this is one of the points we are discussing because we need to go back there and to confirm that the material is there and it’s not being diverted to any other use,” Grossi said.
UN sees movement around nuclear sites
Inspectors did say they saw movement around stockpile sites. The IAEA has not personally accessed these sites to observe the movement but instead relied on satellite imagery. Grossi said those images can only tell so much.
According to experts, Iran’s current stockpile could allow the nation to build up to 10 nuclear bombs. Iran, however, maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, but the IAEA said the country had an operational atomic bomb program until 2003.
What has happened since the US bombed Iran’s nuclear plants?
Since the U.S. struck three of Iran’s main nuclear production plants, Iran has increased production at a site called Pickaxe Mountain. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, satellite imagery shows workers have built a security wall around the entire site. Imagery also shows tunnels at several locations.
The CSIS stated the construction of a large underground facility near a previous nuclear site is highly suspicious. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the images didn’t show what was happening at the site and called for IAEA inspectors on the ground to verify its purpose. However, Iran has stopped cooperating with the IAEA since July.
According to the CSIS, there are three possible explanations for the construction. The first is that Iran may be building a centrifuge assembly facility as initially planned. Second, Iran could be expanding Pickaxe Mountain to include metallurgy. The country’s previous metallurgy facility was located at its Isfahan facility, which was destroyed during the U.S. bombings. Third, and the explanation the international community is worried about the most, Iran could be pursuing a uranium enrichment facility.
The CSIS said Iran could also be using Pickaxe Mountain as a cover to covertly move its nuclear program to other facilities. Iran has several underground facilities across the country.
