The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran is storing enriched uranium close to the level required for nuclear weapons at an underground facility in Isfahan. This revelation comes from a confidential report sent to member states, emphasizing the need for prompt verification activities in Iran. The IAEA expressed concerns about its inability to verify Iran's uranium stockpile, noting a lack of information regarding the location of Iran's uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan.

As of June 13, the IAEA estimated that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium stands at approximately 9,874.9 kilograms. Notably, this report marks the first instance where the IAEA has disclosed the existence of uranium enriched up to 60%, which is dangerously close to the 90% enrichment level typically associated with nuclear weapons production. Diplomatic sources indicate that the entrance to the facility has previously faced attacks from U.S. and Israeli military operations in June, raising additional concerns about the security and oversight of Iran's nuclear activities.

The implications of this development are significant, as it raises urgent questions about Iran's nuclear ambitions and the effectiveness of the current monitoring framework. The discovery places additional pressure on the international community to respond to Iran's growing nuclear capabilities and to ensure robust verification measures are put in place to prevent any potential proliferation of nuclear weapons.