The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has warned that Iran now holds enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so. The assessment adds fresh concern to a program that has long alarmed Western governments and raised the risk of further escalation in the region.

The warning comes as international monitors continue to press Tehran for greater transparency over its nuclear activities. Iran says its program is peaceful, but its expanding stockpile of enriched uranium has drawn repeated scrutiny because it can be used for both civilian energy and weapons purposes depending on how far enrichment goes.

The latest remarks are likely to intensify pressure on Iranian authorities, already facing accusations of secrecy and defiance in their dealings with inspectors. For ordinary Iranians, the standoff risks bringing more isolation, sanctions pressure, and instability while the government keeps pushing ahead with a program that has deepened global concern.

Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis remain fragile, and the IAEA warning underscores how little room there is for error. With trust between Tehran and international watchdogs already badly damaged, the nuclear file remains one of the most volatile issues in Middle East security.