Vienna, Aug 29 (AP) Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels in defiance of international demands, a confidential report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Thursday.

The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of August 17, Iran has 164.7 kilograms (363.1 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. That's an increase of 22.6 kilograms (49.8 pounds) since the IAEA's last report in May.

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Uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.

The IAEA report, which was seen by The Associated Press, says Tehran has also not reconsidered its September 2023 decision to ban the most experienced nuclear inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program and that IAEA surveillance cameras remain disrupted.

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The report further says that Iran has still not provided answers to the nuclear watchdog's years-long investigation about the origin and current location of man-made uranium particles found at two locations that Tehran has failed to declare as potential nuclear sites. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)