Tehran turns up heat

Hikes nuke grade amid threat to Israel

Iran has ramped up its production of near-weapons-grade uranium, the UN nuclear watchdog said Tuesday, a day after Tehran issued an ominous threat to Israel.

The Persian Gulf nation has tripled its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing what had been a lengthy slowdown of enrichment that began last summer, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

It is now enriching uranium to up to 60% purity at a rate of 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds) per month at its Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and its Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, the IAEA said.

Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

“The Agency confirms that, since the end of November 2023, the rate at which Iran has been producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 at these two facilities combined has increased to approximately 9 kg per month,” the IAEA said in a statement that summarized a confidential report.

Enough for 3 bombs

Iran already has enough uranium enriched to up to 60% purity to construct three nuclear bombs, according to IAEA.

The watchdog report came just one day after Iran blasted Israel after its airstrike in Syria took out a top Iranian commander.

“This act is a sign of the Zionist regime’s frustration and weakness in the region for which it will certainly pay the price,” Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi said.

Diplomats believe that Iran had initially slowed down the enrichment process starting in June because its representatives were secretly talking to the United States — negotiations that led to the release of US citizens held by Iran earlier this year.

By IAEA’s definition, about 42 kilograms of enriched uranium is enough to make a nuclear bomb.

The watchdog’s inspectors first noticed the processing change at

both facilities just after Nov. 23, the report said.

The production jumps come at a precarious time in the Middle East, which descended into conflict after Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist assault on Israel.

Iran has long been accused of backing the Palestinian organization and other US-designated terrorist groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.