Iran enriches uranium to highest purity, says IAEA
BERLIN: Iran has enriched uranium to slightly higher purity than previously thought due to “fluctuations” in the process, the United Nations’ (UN) atomic watchdog said on Wednesday.
The report underscores the challenges diplomats face in ongoing talks that began in April, to bring the United States back into the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, which is supported by US President Joe Biden.
The initial announcement from Iran that it would start enriching to 60 per cent - which is not yet weapon’s grade but its highest purity yet - came just as the talks were to begin in Vienna. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi reported to member agencies on Tuesday that the latest inspections confirmed Iran continues to enrich uranium at up to 60 per cent purity in its Natanz plant.
Additionally, samples taken on April 22 “showed an enrichment level of up to 63 per cent consistent with fluctuations of the enrichment levels experienced in the mode of production at that time,” the IAEA said.
The agency added that on Monday inspectors had “verified that Iran had again changed the mode of production” by which it was producing uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity.
In addition to exceeding the purity of uranium enrichment past the 3.67 per cent allowed, Iranian violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA0 have also included installing more advanced centrifuges and stockpiling more enriched uranium than permited.
Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted optimistically early Wednesday that it may even be possible to conclude an agreement on bringing the US back into the JCPOA by that time.
“The Vienna talks make progress and the negotiators aim at completing the process as soon (as) possible,” he wrote. “Hopefully by May 21. It’s very difficult but doable.” Iran’s delegate to the talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, threw some cold water on the hope of extending the deadline, however, tweeting that the resumption of the regular IAEA inspections “is predicated on sanctions being lited.”