The U.N. Nuclear monitoring agency announced on Tuesday that Iran has initiated the process of enriching uranium to a purity level of 60% at its Fordow nuclear facility and intends to significantly increase its enrichment capability, outlining the most recent advancement of Iran’s nuclear program despite opposition from Western nations. DUBAI/VIENNA, Nov 22 (Reuters) –
In a recent resolution by the board of governors, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iranian reports regarding Tehran’s action, which was a response to the agency’s critique of Iran.
The decision to attack Fordow and make it harder is likely to be viewed as particularly provocative, especially because the site is buried under a mountain. Meanwhile, Iran is already enriching uranium up to a purity of 60%, which is why it is seen as a concern by Western nations.
The purity of the cap on enrichment by major powers in its 2015 agreement before Iran produced 20%, but well above the approximately 90% required for weapons-grade material, is 3.67%.
The latest move is the resolution last week by the 35-nation Board of Governors of the IAEA, which orders Iran to cooperate with the agency’s years-long investigation into the origin of uranium particles found at three undeclared sites.
The agency stated that Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced today that Iran has commenced the production of high enriched uranium – UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) enriched up to 60% – utilizing the current two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges in the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, in addition to the previous production occurring at Natanz since April 2021.
The confidential report to IAEA member states, which was seen by Reuters, summarized the different actions taken and scheduled by Iran at the enrichment facilities in Fordow and Natanz.
CENTRIFUGES
Diplomats said that Iran is employing the IR-6, the most cutting-edge design, on a large scale at three facilities located in Fordow and Natanz. These plants consist of merely six cascades, or groups, of centrifuges.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the first-generation IR-1 machines, which will be replaced, will be adding 14 more IR-6 cascades at the Fordow facility. Additionally, the plans include adding six first-generation IR-1 machines at Fordow. They also mentioned that the enrichment level will be increased by either 20% or 5%.
In the longer term, Iran is planning to expand its underground, commercial-scale Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz by installing and activating additional sets of sophisticated centrifuges.
Iran continues to advance its enrichment activities at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, with plans to now install a second production building capable of cascading centrifuges over 100.
Fordow was prohibited under the agreement, however, Tehran has also recommenced the process of enrichment. Iran has installed IR-2m, IR-4, and IR-6 centrifuges, in addition to the original IR-1 centrifuges permitted by the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six global powers. The agreement disintegrated following the decision of then-President Donald Trump to withdraw from it in 2018.
President Joe Biden of the United States reiterated their preference to use diplomatic means to curb Iran’s nuclear program, but also stated that all military options were available for possible action, indicating their willingness to consider alternative approaches. U.S. Officials declined to confirm Iran’s enrichment activities at Fordow, which were reported to be at 60%.
The second resolution from the IAEA this year focuses on Iran, as the investigation has become a hindrance to discussions regarding the revival of the 2015 agreement, due to Iran’s insistence on the termination of the probe.
Since September, the efforts to revive the agreement between the United States and Iran through indirect talks have been deadlocked.
Shifting its attention towards the revival of a nuclear agreement, Washington has redirected its focus from Iran’s suppression of anti-government demonstrations following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained in custody, as well as its trade of unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia.
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