SpaceWar.com reports: “Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in recent months, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP on Wednesday.

Tensions between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog have repeatedly flared since a 2015 deal curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief fell apart.

The IAEA said in its quarterly report that it is of ‘serious concern’ that Iran has an estimated 274.8 kilograms (605 pounds) of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent as of 8 February, up by 92.5 kilograms since the previous report in November.

That level of enrichment is a short step from the 90 percent needed to make a nuclear weapon.

Tehran in December warned it would ramp up production of uranium enriched to 60 percent in response to the adoption of an IAEA board resolution that censured Tehran for its lack of cooperation with the agency.

Iran had also announced that it would launch ‘new and advanced’ centrifuges.

Tehran insists on its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and has denied it is seeking a weapons capability…”