Tehran boosts nuclear purity

Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highestever purity that edges Tehran close to weaponsgrade levels, attempting to pressure negotiators in Vienna amid talks on restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main enrichment site.

A top official said only a few grams an hour of uranium gas would be enriched up to 60% purity — triple the level it once did but at a quantity far lower than what the Islamic Republic could produce.

The narrow scope of the new enrichment provides Iran with a way to quickly deescalate if it chooses, experts say, but time is narrowing. An Iranian presidential election looms on the horizon as Tehran already is threatening to limit international inspections. Israel, suspected of carrying out

Sunday’s sabotage at Natanz, also could act again amid a longrunning shadow war between the two Middle East rivals.