Iran accelerates production of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA says, as tensions with US ratchet up

A report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium as tensions between Tehran and Washington rise after the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Associated Press has seen the report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. The report says that as of Feb. 8, Iran has 605.8 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%, up by more than 200 pounds since the IAEA’s last report in November. That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA says it is a significant increase and of serious concern. A report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium as tensions between Tehran and Washington rise after the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Associated Press has seen the report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. The report says that as of Feb. 8, Iran has 605.8 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%, up by more than 200 pounds since the IAEA’s last report in November. That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA says it is a significant increase and of serious concern.  AP Technology and Science