International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said inspectors know the location of Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile and the issue must be addressed [1, 2].
The situation is critical because a growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium could threaten global non-proliferation efforts and shorten the timeline for Iran to potentially develop a nuclear weapon [3, 4].
Grossi said this at the United Nations headquarters in New York following a quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, which consists of 35 member states [5, 6]. The agency's leadership is focused on the size, status, and exact location of the materials. While some reports suggest the location of the missing uranium remains a growing concern, Grossi said that inspectors are aware of where the stockpile is located [1, 3].
Regarding the specific sites, Grossi said the majority of Iran's highly enriched uranium is still believed to be at the Isfahan site [2]. Some officials also believe the material could be located at the Fordow facility [2].
Beyond the stockpiles, Grossi addressed physical damage to nuclear infrastructure. He said very significant damage is expected to have occurred and that craters are now visible [1].
"We know where the stockpile is, and it must be addressed," Grossi said [1].
“We know where the stockpile is, and it must be addressed.”
The IAEA's public insistence that the uranium stockpile 'must be addressed' signals a breakdown in diplomatic transparency between Tehran and UN inspectors. By highlighting the presence of near-bomb-grade material and visible craters at nuclear sites, the agency is alerting the international community that Iran's nuclear capabilities are advancing beyond the limits of previous agreements, increasing the risk of regional instability.
