US Sends Nuclear Deal Proposal to Iran Amid Concerns

The US has sent a proposal for a nuclear deal to Iran, the White House confirmed, after a UN nuclear watchdog report found Iran had increased its production of enriched uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran now possesses over 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to the 90% required for weapons-grade uranium. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had been presented with "elements of a US deal" by his Omani counterpart, and that the US proposal "will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran". The proposal is part of ongoing talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, which have been underway since April.

Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels (60%) to 900.8 pounds as of May 17, a 50% increase since February, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The report calls on Tehran to change course and comply with the agency's probe. Approximately 92.5 pounds of 60% enriched uranium is enough to produce one atomic bomb if enriched further to 90%. The IAEA expressed "serious concern" over Iran's accumulation of such material, stating it's the only non-nuclear-weapon state producing it. Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 20,387.4 pounds, a 2,101.4-pound increase since February. The report comes amid sensitive nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, with the White House stating that a "detailed and acceptable proposal" has been sent to Iran. Iranian officials have suggested they could pursue an atomic bomb, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the report reinforces concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

Iran condemned Austria after a report from Austria's domestic intelligence agency claimed that Tehran has an advanced nuclear weapons program capable of launching long-range missiles. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denounced the report as "spreading lies" and summoned an Austrian diplomat to express its discontent. The report contradicts the assessment of US intelligence agencies, which state that Iran has not yet begun a weapons program but has taken steps to position itself to produce a nuclear device. The findings coincide with a new International Atomic Energy Agency report that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels, amassing 408.6kg of uranium enriched up to 60%. The agency warned that Iran now has enough material to make "several" nuclear bombs if it chose to do so, and expressed serious concern that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material. The report also found traces of uranium at undeclared sites, indicating secret nuclear experiments. The findings are likely to complicate recent talks between Iran and the US over a possible nuclear deal and may lead to Iran being referred to the UN Security Council and the reimplementation of sanctions.