Nuclear watchdog demands clarity on status of uranium in Iran

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is demanding clarity from Iran on the whereabouts of nuclear material.

At an emergency meeting of the IAEA board of governors in Vienna on Monday, following the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi pointed out Tehran's corresponding obligations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced protective measures for nuclear material and equipment before the Israeli and US attacks, Grossi said.

He emphasized that any transport of nuclear materials must be reported to the IAEA in accordance with the binding inspection agreement between the nuclear authority and Iran.

According to an IAEA report, Iran possesses more than 400 kilograms of uranium with a purity level of 60%, which is almost suitable for weapons.

According to diplomats, this could be used to produce several nuclear weapons if the material were further enriched to 90%.

Tehran insists that it does not want to build nuclear weapons, but many countries have recently become increasingly concerned that the Islamic Republic is moving ever closer to being able to build nuclear weapons.

It is now necessary for IAEA inspectors to verify Iran's stocks of 60% uranium, Grossi added.

According to his earlier statements, this material had been stored in Isfahan, where Israel and the US have bombed several nuclear facilities.

The uranium had previously been produced in enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, which were also severely damaged.

Grossi noted that the underground uranium enrichment plant in Fordow was likely severely damaged by the use of massive US bombs.

"Given the explosive payload utilized, and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred," he said during his speech at the emergency meeting.

"Iran has informed the IAEA that there was no increase in off-site radiation levels at all three sites," he added.