The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found particles of very highly enriched uranium in Iran.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi officially confirmed for the first time on Tuesday that the uranium had a purity level of 83.7%, which is only just below the 90% needed for nuclear weapons.

The traces were discovered in January during an inspection of a uranium enrichment plant in Fordo.

The Iranian authorities explained the extremely high enrichment level to the IAEA as the result of “unintended fluctuations.” Talks with Tehran to clarify the issue are under way, the non-public report obtained by dpa said.

Grossi pointed out in January that Iran already had enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons if the material were enriched even higher.

According to the report, the Islamic Republic possesses, among other things, almost 435 kilograms of 20% uranium, 48 kilograms more than in the previous quarterly report in November.

The stockpile of 60% uranium increased by 25 kilograms and currently stands at just under 88 kilograms.

Tehran has always stressed that it is only interested in peaceful nuclear technology. In 2015, Iran pledged to limit its nuclear programme, which led to Western sanctions being lifted in return. The pact was intended to prevent the construction of nuclear weapons in the Islamic Republic.

After the US unilaterally pulled out of the agreement in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump, Tehran responded by expanding its uranium enrichment and limiting IAEA inspections.

Negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement, in which Germany is also involved, have been on ice for months.