Vienna

Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday. In a separate report, the agency called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with its years-long probe.

The report comes at a sensitive time, as the administration of US President Donald Trump seeks to reach a deal with Tehran to limit its nuclear programme. The two sides have held several rounds of talks, so far without agreement.

The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent.

That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — or almost 50 percent — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60 percent enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds).

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There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the new IAEA report.