Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium exceeds the nuclear deal limit by 18 times

Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has exceeded the limit allowed under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers by more than 18 times, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, seen by AFP on Monday.

According to mid-May estimates, Tehran increased its total reserves to 3,809.3 kilograms, compared to 3,197.1 kilograms in February, far from the ceiling pledged under the agreement of 202.8 kilograms.

Iran also raised its stockpile of fertilized materials by 20% to 238.4 kilograms, from 182.1 kilograms.

This level, which exceeds by 3.67% that specified in the agreement, makes it theoretically possible to produce medical analogues that are used especially in the diagnosis of some types of cancer.

Iran possesses 43.1 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which is a threshold close to 90 percent, needed to manufacture an atomic bomb, while it previously possessed 33.2 kilograms of this material.

That report will be reviewed at the International Atomic Energy Agency's governors meeting next week, as talks to salvage the Iran nuclear deal falter.

The 2015 agreement allowed the lifting of sanctions against Iran, in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

However, its effects have become null and void since Washington withdrew from it and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

In an effort to reactivate this agreement, in April 2021 Iran and the major powers began discussions in which the United States indirectly participated.

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