Uranium enriched up to 84% was found in Iran. This is only 6% below the level required to craft a weapon.

International observers in Iran last week found uranium enriched to levels just below what is needed to build a nuclear weapon.

It is reported by Bloomberg.

According to two senior diplomats, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is trying to figure out how Iran stockpiled 84% enriched uranium. This is the highest level detected by inspectors in the country to date, and the concentration is only 6% below what is needed to create a weapon.

At the same time, Iran previously told the IAEA that its centrifuges are set to enrich uranium to a purity level of 60%. Now inspectors need to determine whether Iran deliberately produced the material, or whether the concentration was an unintentional buildup in a network of pipes connecting hundreds of rapidly spinning centrifuges used to separate isotopes.

Even if the discovered material was accumulated by mistake due to technical difficulties in operating centrifuge cascades, as has happened before, one diplomat said, it highlights the dangers of Iran’s decision to produce highly enriched uranium.

The IAEA has repeatedly stated that even the 60% level is technically indistinguishable from the level required to build a nuclear weapon. Most nuclear power reactors use material enriched to 5% purity.

The developments come as Iran becomes increasingly isolated from the West and nuclear talks with world powers remain on hold, writes Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said that Israel can do whatever it takes in light of the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. And Washington will support him in this.

“As President Joe Biden said, we will not stand by and watch Iran get nuclear weapons. Israel can and should do whatever it needs to do, and we will cover it,” Nides said.

According to him, the nuclear threat comes from Iran not only for Israel, but also for the Middle East and America.