VIENNA — The U.N. nuclear agency has found traces of uranium enriched at an Iranian site to a level that is slightly closer to the threshold needed to arm nuclear missiles.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says in a report that its experts have found particles enriched up to 27 percent. That is higher than the 20 percent declared by Iran and closer to the weapons-grade material used in the fissile core of such missiles.
The restricted report says Iran explains the find as a technical glitch. The agency says it is assessing that explanation and has asked for more details, while analysts and diplomats say Iran's version sounds plausible.
Low enrichment is used to fuel reactors. The higher the enrichment level, the easier it is to reach the 90-percent threshold needed to make nuclear arms.
Iran denies it is interested in having such weapons.