Washington and Tehran had discussed Iran’s nuclear program in multiple rounds prior to Friday’s Israeli strikes, as worries about its explosive growth grew.
After the United States unilaterally withdrew from a historic agreement with world powers to limit Iran’s nuclear programs in exchange for the lifting of sanctions in 2018, Iran has dramatically increased its nuclear program in recent years.
According to the most recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile as of mid-May was assessed to be 9,247.6 kg, which is more than 45 times the limit specified in the 2015 agreement.
An estimated 408.6 kg of Iran’s stocks are enriched to up to 60%, which is only a short distance from the 90% required for a nuclear bomb.
