By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
TEHRAN/VIENNA (Worthy News) – The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned Wednesday that Iran had accelerated its production of near-weapons-grade uranium amid mounting tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said in its latest report that as of February 8, Iran has 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent.
That’s an increase of 92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since the IAEA’s last report in November.
That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent, according to experts.
The revelations came after reports that Iran has stepped up air defenses around its nuclear sites amid concerns of an imminent attack by Israel and the United States.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s administration says Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, a view shared by Israel.
Yet the IAEA suggested that Iran acceleratedits nuclear program since Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.
The IAEA has warned that time is running out for diplomacy to impose new restrictions on Iran’s activities before the country has a nuclear weapon.
Tehran claims that its nuclear program is for “peaceful” purposes, but Israel and most of its allies, including the United States, have their doubts.
The IAEA seemed to share these concerns.
“The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern,” the IAEA said.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah on Monday, striking more than 70 targets across Lebanon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase pressure on the Iranian-backed terror group following a sharp rise in drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel.
A federal appeals court is weighing whether Kansas City can use its public accommodation ordinance to require Christian counselors to counsel gay married couples despite the counselors’ biblical convictions on marriage and sexuality.
Tens of thousands of evangelical Christians gathered in the Netherlands for one of Europe’s largest multi-day Christian events, with organizers and participants expressing hopes for spiritual revival in the nation and across Europe.
President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against sharp criticism from Republicans and former administration officials over a potential U.S.-Iran agreement, insisting that any final accord must prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or it will not be signed.
President Donald Trump said Monday that countries involved in negotiations over Iran should be required to join the Abraham Accords, signaling that the White House is seeking to turn a possible Iran agreement into a wider regional realignment that includes normalization with Israel.
Tensions remained high in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Sunday after at least tens of thousands of people demanded elections and rallied against what they view as the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Aleksandar Vučić, with violence erupting after the protest and more than 20 people arrested.
Investigations were ongoing Sunday into the killing of three senior Kuki-Thadou Christian church leaders by unidentified gunmen in India’s northeastern Manipur State, Christian investigators told Worthy News.