Energy News:

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA — French: Agence internationale de l’énergie atomique) established that Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to 60% reached 440.9 kg in the form of uranium hexafluoride (UF6). According to the agency’s methodological yardstick, that quantity, if further enriched, represents a potential of roughly ten nuclear devices. The agency notes the material is in gaseous form, usable in centrifuge cascades to continue enrichment. Since the strikes targeting enrichment capabilities, the IAEA reports it lacks verified information on the exact status and location of the highly enriched stock.

Quantity, enrichment and conversion potential

Immediately prior to the military operations, the 440.9 kg of UF6 at 60% represented an increase compared with previous assessments. The 60% threshold lies close to the so-called weapons-grade level, generally associated with 90% uranium-235, and shortens the technical time required for final conversion. Effective yield, however, depends on industrial parameters including cascade configuration, separation factor and the operational availability of units. The reference to “ten devices” reflects an internal calculation yardstick used by the IAEA and does not imply specific designs or account for process losses.

The UF6 chemical form governs the entire isotope-separation chain and the handling constraints that accompany it. Material flow requires reliable feed, compression and vacuum systems to maintain centrifuge stability. Electrical continuity, rotor quality and line cleanliness directly influence achievable enrichment rates. Any prolonged interruption or infrastructure damage translates into efficiency losses and longer restoration work.

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