Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground site, IAEA report says

Some of Iran's most highly enriched uranium was stored in an underground area of its nuclear site in Isfahan, stated a report from UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The report was sent to member states on Friday, according to Reuters. This is the first time the IAEA has reported the location of uranium that has been enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the 90% that weapons-grade uranium holds. The tunnel complex's entrance was hit by US and Israeli military strikes in June, but the facility seems largely unharmed, diplomats say.

The IAEA does not currently have access to any of Iran’s four declared uranium enrichment facilities and therefore cannot provide any information on the current size or the whereabouts of Iran’s enriched uranium stock, or whether it has suspended all enrichment, the report said. As of June 13th, Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to 60% purity is still estimated at 440.9 kg. According to the IAEA’s definition, around 42 kg of uranium enriched to 60% is theoretically enough, if enriched further to produce a nuclear bomb.

The IAEA expressed concern that Iran has never granted the agency access to its enrichment facility at Isfahan, and that it does not know the precise location of the facility. It is critical for the IAEA to conduct verification activities in Iran without further delay, the report said. (Source)