The International Atomic Energy Agency assesses that Iran has ramped up production of 60% uranium, amid talks between Tehran and the Trump Administration over the Iranian nuclear program.

The IAEA estimated that Iran had 408.6 kg (901 lbs.) of 60% uranium as of May 17, up from 274.8 kg (605.9 lbs.) in February.

“The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon State to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern,” the IAEA said.

Iran and the Administration have had five sets of indirect talks in Oman. The White House sent a proposal to Tehran through Omani Foreign Mnister Badr Albusaidi on Saturday.

Publicly, the Administration is demanding a complete halt to uranium enrichment. Iran says it must be able to continue enrichment of uranium for civil purposes.

Under the 2015 agreement with the 5+1 Powers (US, France, UK, Germany, China, and Russia), Iran limited enrichment to 3.67% and sent 20% stocks abroad. However, when the Trump Administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and imposed comprehensive sanctions, Tehran resumed 20% enrichment and started production of 60% fuel — which can potentially be further developed to a military grade of more than 90% — in April 2021.

Iran’s 9,247.6 kg (20,387 lbs.) of enriched uranium of all grades now exceeds the limit in the 2015 agreement by 45 times the limit authorised by the 2015 agreement.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry insisted that the IAEA report was based on “unreliable and misleading information” from Israel, “contrary to the IAEA’s principles of professional verification”.

In a separate report, the IAEA criticised “less than satisfactory” cooperation from Tehran over the scrutiny of its nuclear programme, noting Iran’s lack of progress in explaining nuclear material found at undeclared sites.

Iran Deputy Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned:

Should these states choose to abuse Iran’s patience and persist in their erroneous path, Iran will be compelled—commensurate with the evolving circumstances and actions of the other parties—to adopt and implement appropriate decisions, the responsibility, consequences, and ramifications of which shall rest entirely with those states.