IAEA Warns of Limited Oversight on Iran Nuclear Stockpile Amid Regional Tensions

A confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revealed a critical decline in the agency's ability to monitor Iranian nuclear facilities. The watchdog stated it can no longer account for the current size, location, or composition of Iran’s enriched-uranium stockpile, which currently includes 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60%. Director General Rafael Grossi is urging Tehran to resume cooperation, noting that current enrichment levels are technically close to weapons-grade. On the diplomatic front, President Donald Trump indicated that while "progress is being made on Lebanon," a narrow deal with Iran is not currently a prerequisite for U.S. policy regarding enriched uranium. This comes as the U.S. State Department issued updated security alerts for Americans in the Middle East, advising increased caution and awareness of nearby shelters due to the potential for widening conflict or retaliatory strikes against U.S. interests. The situation remains volatile on the ground in southern Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah continues active engagements. Recent shelling north of the Litani River resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier and a UN peacekeeper. This regional instability has reverberated through global energy markets, with WTI crude prices rising more than 6% over the week as traders weigh the risks of stalled diplomacy and sustained military friction.