Iran has further increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade, defying international demands, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, viewed by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report revealed that, as of October 26, Iran possessed 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking a 17.6 kg (38.8 lb) increase since the last report in August.

Uranium enriched to 60% purity is just a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile stood at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds) as of October 26, reflecting an 852.6 kg (1,879.6 lb) increase since August. According to the IAEA, approximately 42 kg (92.5 lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity could theoretically be further enriched to 90% and used to produce a nuclear weapon.

While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels to build “several” nuclear bombs if it chooses. Grossi has also acknowledged that the UN agency cannot verify whether any of Iran’s centrifuges are being used for clandestine uranium enrichment.

Italian authorities announced on Tuesday the dismantling of an illegal excavation operation targeting an Etruscan tomb in the central region of Umbria. Two individuals are under investigation for the alleged theft of urns, sarcophagi, and other artifacts valued at €8 million ($8.5 million), which were intended for sale on the black market.

The illegal dig was located near another Etruscan burial site discovered by a farmer plowing his land in 2015, according to officials. Authorities were tipped off after photographs of the artifacts and the excavation began circulating on the black market, bearing similarities to items found on the farmer’s property.

Using drone surveillance for aerial imagery and telephone monitoring, investigators uncovered the illegal operation on land owned by a local businessman.

During the excavation, authorities found two sarcophagi believed to belong to Etruscan princesses, one of which still contained a skeleton. They also uncovered a complete funerary set, including urns depicting hunting and battle scenes, perfume bottles, and a comb made of bone.

The Etruscan civilization, which thrived between approximately 900 BCE and 27 BCE, was centered in central Italy, primarily between the Tiber and Arno rivers, encompassing parts of modern-day Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio.

The Kremlin today accused the United States of “adding fuel to the fire” of the war in Ukraine by authorizing, according to the Western press, long-range missile attacks against Russian territory by Kiev.

“It is evident that the outgoing Administration in the United States intends to continue to add fuel to the fire and continue to cause an escalation of tension around this conflict,” said Dmitri Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, in his daily telephone press conference.

The spokesman stressed that if it is confirmed that the West has given the green light to Kiev, it will mean “qualitatively a new phase of tension and a new situation regarding the involvement of the United States.”

The authorized weapons are, specifically, guided supersonic missiles called ATACMS that can carry conventional or cluster heads and have a range of about 300 kilometers.

Biden authorized the use of missiles only in the Russian region of Kursk

US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use limited long-range missiles, for the moment, to defend its offensive positions in the Russian region of Kursk, where the Moscow army receives the help of thousands of soldiers from North Korea.

CNN and The New York Times report this unprecedented decision by the Biden administration, which will end its mandate on January 20, and which occurs when Moscow has deployed almost 50,000 troops in Kursk, the southern region of Russia where Kiev launched its surprise counteroffensive last summer.

The American network, which cites two officials from the country as sources, assures that the weapons are intended to be used, for the moment and mainly, in Kursk.

For its part, the newspaper highlights that Biden’s decision is an important change in American politics and has divided his advisors, since the measure occurs two months before his successor, the president-elect, Republican Donald J. Trump, takes office, after having promised that he will limit support for Ukraine.

Zelenski on missiles: “Those things are not announced”

Washington had refused to provide ATACMS to Ukraine during the first two years of the war, partly due to concerns about its manufacture, since the powerful missiles require time and complex components to produce them.

But Biden secretly approved the transfer of those missiles in February for use within Ukrainian territory. The United States delivered them in April, and has now allowed them to be used against Russian territory.

In his usual nightly voiceover, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, spoke about the information that appeared in US media about the authorization of the White House.

“The plan to strengthen Ukraine is the ‘Victory Plan’ that I have presented to our partners. One of the key points is about the long-range capabilities of our Army. Today there has been a lot of talk in the media that we would have received permission for these actions. But attacks are not done with words. These things are not announced. The missiles speak for themselves and there is no doubt that they will,” Zelenski said.