Vienna (Austria), May 31 (LaPresse) – Iran has further increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to levels approaching those usable for military purposes, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accessed by the Associated Press. The report urges Tehran to urgently change course and cooperate with the agency's ongoing investigations. As of May 17, according to the IAEA, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% – an increase of 133.8 kilograms compared to the last report in February. This material is technically just one step away from the 90% enrichment level required for nuclear weapons production. A previous report in February estimated the stockpile at 274.8 kilograms. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has repeatedly stressed that "Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium to these levels." Grossi reiterated "his urgent call for Iran to fully and effectively cooperate" with the IAEA.

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