Iran’s nuclear capacity surged while Israel was focused on Gaza

Iran now holds enough enriched uranium for up to nine nuclear weapons, according to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report leaked to Reuters. The news signals a dangerous new phase in the long-running standoff.

In an effort to avert open conflict, the US has quietly proposed a new deal allowing Iran limited, low-level enrichment under strict international oversight. But while Washington pushes diplomacy,  Netanyahu faces criticism for failing to take military action to prevent Iran’s nuclear advances.

A confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Iran secretly conducted nuclear activities using undeclared material at three locations—Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad—which have long been under investigation. The report, requested by the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors, said these sites were part of an undeclared and structured nuclear program active until the early 2000s. Iran’s cooperation with the agency remains “less than satisfactory.”

The findings are expected to support a resolution by the US, UK, France and Germany at the Board’s 9 June meeting, potentially declaring Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in nearly 20 years. Iran has rejected the report as politically motivated and warned it will respond to any such action.

A separate IAEA report released on Saturday noted Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity—just below weapons-grade—had grown to 408.6 kg, enough for nine nuclear bombs if enriched to 90%. The IAEA warned this is a serious concern, especially as Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing such material.