The head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, announced on Saturday evening that Iran possesses more than 120 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent. Eslami stated during an interview with Iranian state television, "We have exceeded 120 kilograms," adding, "We have more than this figure." He continued, "Our people know well that they (the Western powers) were supposed to provide us with 20 percent enriched fuel for use in the Tehran reactor, but they did not." He noted that "if our colleagues did not carry out this matter, it is natural that we would face problems with a shortage of nuclear fuel for the Tehran reactor."
In September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium above the levels permitted under the 2015 agreement with the major powers. The agency estimates that Iran possesses 84.3 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, compared to 62.8 kilograms according to the last IAEA report in May. Under the agreement, Iran is not allowed to enrich uranium beyond 3.67 percent, a level significantly lower than the 90 percent threshold required for nuclear weapon production.
China, France, Germany, Britain, and the United States had agreed to lift some sanctions on Iran if Tehran reduced its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed optimism on Friday that discussions regarding the revival of the nuclear agreement would bear fruit, provided the United States fully resumes its commitments.
