Tuesday, the United Nations revealed that its atomic inspectors had discovered uranium enriched to a maximum of 83.7% in one of Iran’s subterranean nuclear sites but stressed that the elements identified were merely “particles.” The samples collected by the International Atomic Energy Agency during an examination of the Fordo nuclear site on January 22 were alarmingly close to weapons-grade purity levels, generally considered 90 percent. According to the IAEA, Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has been around the acceptable level of 60 percent for the past two years. Iran officials told the UN watchdog that “unintended fluctuations in enrichment levels may have occurred,” according to the IAEA, which added, “Discussions between the agency and Iran are ongoing to clarify the situation.” According to Bloomberg News, the increase represents the eighth straight quarter in which Iran has enriched its nuclear materials close to the threshold for weaponization. In 2022, the IAEA censured the nation twice over the issue.