Iran has enriched its uranium to a higher purity than initially expected. The country said the increased purity was a result of "fluctuations" in the enrichment process.
Iran's progress was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency - the United Nations' atomic watchdog. In the report, which is still unpublished but was leaked Thursday, the IAEA said it had analyzed samples taken from an Iranian facility in mid-April.
The agency confirmed that Iran was moving forward with the enhancement of its nuclear program while it engages in negotiations for its potential return to a 2015 nuclear deal. The IAEA said its findings are consistent with figures declared by Iran.
Last month, Iran said it had successfully enriched uranium to 60%. The increased level of purity brings the country closer to obtaining weapons-grade uranium, which has a purity of 90% or above. Iran has denied it intended to make bombs. However, world powers are concerned that Iran's stocks of 60% enriched uranium could allow it to quickly make weapons.
In its report, the IAEA said Iran had enriched its uranium to a purity of 63%, which the country had reasoned was consistent with the fluctuations of levels associated with the use of uranium hexafluoride.
The IAEA said it based its data on information provided by Iran, which analysts said was an indication Iran wants to make its progress clear to the world. Analysts said Iran likely wants to make it clear that if negotiations on an agreement that would include the lifting of U.S. sanctions would fail, it can easily move forward with its nuclear weapons program.
Since the U.S. under former President Donald Trump pulled out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has been steadily developing its nuclear program in violation of the accord. The U.S. had also reimposed crippling sanctions against Iran, worsening tensions between the two nations.
Under the current negotiations, Iran has been promised economic incentives in exchange for limitation on its nuclear program. Iran is demanding for the lifting of all U.S. sanctions, a request that has so far gone unheeded.
