Iran has been producing 12 times more enriched uranium over the past few weeks in contravention to its commitments stipulated by a 2015 nuclear accord, from which the United States withdrew 18 months ago. In an interview with the Associated Press, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency, contended that the Islamic Republic was now manufacturing some 5.5 kilograms (12 pounds) of low-enriched uranium daily compared to 450 grams (1 pound) just weeks ago. He attributed this rise in part to renewed activity at Iran’s controversial Fordow installation, which is buried deep inside a mountain near the city of Qom. Iranian officials also announced that the country was now enriching uranium to 5 percent purity, exceeding the 3.67% limit outlined in the nuclear deal, but below the 90% level required for nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, analysts have noted that by stockpiling low-enriched uranium, Tehran is effectively shortening its “breakout” time to the bomb. The development comes amid revelations that Iran apparently has been holding hostage Robert Levinson, a US citizen and ex-FBI agent, who in 2007 disappeared in the Islamic Republic while allegedly conducting an unauthorized CIA mission.