The Islamic Republic of Iran has been racing to enrich uranium to a level just below weapons-grade, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a U.N. agency tasked with monitoring the nation’s stockpiles, which was obtained by The Wall Street Journal. After the report’s release, Iranian forces went on high alert in expectation of Israeli airstrikes.

As of February 8, Iran had 605.8 pounds of uranium enriched up 60%, up from 401.9 pounds in November (roughly a 50% increase) and 363.1 pounds in August, according to the IAEA report. “The significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon State to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern,” the IAEA warned.

The IAEA said approximately 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% (92 pounds) is enough to produce one nuclear bomb. This means that Iran has already produced enough “high enriched uranium” to manufacture six nuclear weapons. The process to convert uranium enriched to 60% into weapons-grade uranium (90% enrichment) takes a matter of days.

“They don’t have a civil nuclear program,” stated Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) on “Washington Watch” Tuesday. “It’s not about producing power. That’s not why they’re enriching uranium to the level that they are. They are doing it solely to deliver nuclear strikes to their enemies and adversaries.”

“Of all the things we talk about on a regular basis, it’s not Russia or Ukraine that keeps me up at night,” added Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday’s “Washington Watch.” “It is the Ayatollah — who’s a religious Nazi — having a nuclear weapon, because I think he would use it against Israel, to wipe them off the map. And he’s way too close.”

The IAEA already warned in December that Iran was poised to increase its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium “quite dramatically.” The IAEA Board of Governors had passed a resolution condemning Iran for its failure to cooperate fully with the agency, even banning some expert inspectors from visiting its facilities. In response, Iran threatened to “respond decisively and immediately” and did so by ordering the “activation” of advanced centrifuges.

In response to the Iranian regime’s obstinacy, on February 4, President Donald Trump reestablished his “maximum pressure” campaign of trade embargoes and financial sanctions against Iran, which had been relaxed under former President Joe Biden.

But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi doubled down, stating, “Iran’s position regarding nuclear talks is clear and we will not negotiate under pressure and sanctions. There is no possibility of direct negotiations with the US as long as maximum pressure is being applied in this way.”

After the IAEA report on its rapid uranium enrichment, Iran put the air defense systems around its key nuclear and missile sites on high alert, anticipating an Israeli attack. “They are just waiting for the attack and are anticipating it every night. And everything has been on high alert — even in sites that no one knows about,” a source revealed to The Telegraph, a British paper.

“They’re right to be concerned,” exclaimed Perry. “But they can alleviate their concerns by abandoning their nuclear weapon program. … If they want to abandon that, then I think we could probably all get along better. But as long as they’re going to continue to lie about it and continue to pursue it, then … they should be looking over their shoulder. And they’ll get whatever they deserve.”

The Telegraph’s source shared the feeling in Tehran that Iran’s air defenses “may not be effective in the event of a large-scale strike,” adding that “work to fortify nuclear sites has been ongoing for years but it has intensified over the past year, particularly since Israel launched the first attack.”

After Iran fired a massive salvo of missiles and drones at Israel last year, the Israel Defense Forces responded in October by knocking out nearly all of Iran’s anti-aircraft batteries in an hours-long attack. “Iran is exposed,” Graham said. “They’ve never been this weak.”

Beyond their anti-aircraft systems, Iran has “essentially lost everything that they’ve been involved in, including the Houthis, but certainly Hezbollah and Hamas,” Perry pronounced. “I mean, their proxies are just getting routed — and, of course, their own countryside militarily being beaten down. So they are on the run.”

But Iran’s vulnerability to airstrikes has not dissuaded the Iranian regime from its enmity towards Israel, Perry warned. “Are they ever going to learn? Iran has been doing the same thing over and over again for the last 40 years,” he said. “They retreat for a while, they rebuild, and then they start the same terrorist antics all over the globe. … I don’t sense that they’re going to change behavior without a strong requirement from the individuals that live within Iran, that are tired of living under this tyranny.”

“I am hoping that President Trump will give assistance to Israel if they decide to attack the Iran nuclear program,” Graham wished. “Israel is ready to go. President Trump, give Israel the green light. Help them degrade the Iranian nuclear program. Then talk to the Arabs about peace.”

If Trump green-lighted an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Graham added, “I mean, we thought Syria and the fall of Assad was big; this would be seismic, the biggest thing will happen in our lifetime for the future of Israel and the stability of the region. If we neutralize, if we continue to weaken Iran, Lebanon will come our way. Syria will come our way. … This is the moment. This is the time.”