Reports · Oct 18, 2026
Iran Accelerates Uranium Enrichment to 90 Percent, Drawing IAEA Emergency Session and New Western Sanctions
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on 24 August 2026 that Iran has enriched uranium to 90 percent purity at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, constituting weapons-grade material for the first time since the JCPOA was agreed in 2015. The IAEA Board of Governors convened an emergency session and the United States, European Union and United Kingdom announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's petrochemical exports and four financial institutions.
Contents
Key takeaways
- Uranium enriched to 90% purity confirmed by IAEA at Fordow facility.
- IAEA Board of Governors convened emergency session in Vienna.
- US, EU and UK imposed new sanctions on Iranian petrochemicals and financial institutions.
- Iran has stockpile equivalent to approximately 3 nuclear device quantities at 90% enrichment.
- China and Russia blocked a UN Security Council resolution on the matter.
Technical Assessment
The IAEA Director General's report to the emergency Board session confirmed that Iran has produced approximately 12.3 kilograms of uranium enriched to 90 percent at Fordow since July 2026, using advanced IR-6 centrifuge cascades. The stockpile represents approximately 0.4 nuclear device quantities under standard IAEA enrichment accounting, as a credible device would require approximately 30 kilograms of 90 percent enriched material plus warhead fabrication.
Iran has separate stockpiles of 60 percent enriched uranium — the level it maintained from 2022 to 2026 — totalling approximately 182.3 kilograms. Further enrichment of this material to 90 percent could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for two to three devices within weeks, depending on centrifuge availability.
Diplomatic Response
The IAEA Board passed a non-binding censure resolution by 28 votes to 2 (Russia, China), with 7 abstentions. The resolution called on Iran to suspend 90 percent enrichment immediately and restore full IAEA access, including to undeclared locations. Iran's UN Ambassador described the resolution as 'politically motivated' and stated Iran would increase enrichment rates in response.
A US-drafted UN Security Council resolution invoking snapback sanctions under JCPOA Resolution 2231 was vetoed by China and Russia. The UK, France and Germany have separately initiated the snapback mechanism under the JCPOA's own terms, arguing that as original signatories they retain that right even absent the US.
Regional Reactions
Israel's defence establishment publicly assessed that Iran has crossed the threshold for pre-emptive action, but the Prime Minister's office issued a statement that Israel is 'consulting with allies before taking any decision'. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that the kingdom 'reserved the right to pursue equivalent capabilities' if Iran operationalises its nuclear programme.
Sources
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