IAEA Director Says Iran Holds Large Stockpile of 60 Percent Enriched Uranium

He added that producing a nuclear weapon would require enrichment to 90 percent. During the exchange the director general declined to comment on whether Iran intends to produce a bomb. He stated that the agency does not judge national intentions. The interviewer observed that 60 percent enrichment exceeds levels needed for civilian energy production.

The director general did not respond directly to that observation.

Uranium used in most nuclear power reactors is typically enriched to between 3 and 5 percent. Enrichment to 60 percent is considered highly enriched and is closer to the threshold for weapons use. The agency has previously reported Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched above 60 percent but has not released updated public figures in the current statement.