IAEA: IRAN PRODUCED 2.4 KILOS OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM

Iran has produced more than 2.4 kilograms of nearly weapons-grade uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, putting it well outside the bounds of an international nuclear deal it is allegedly working to salvage, Albert Otti reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

The move to enrich uranium to a purity level of nearly 60 percent has happened since April, said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi, who has for weeks been signaling that he is worried about the direction of Iran's nuclear program. The news could complicate talks about Iran's nuclear path.

The country signed a deal with the United States and other countries limiting its nuclear stockpiles in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, once former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal, Iran began ignoring various aspects of the agreement as well.

Although talks are ongoing to restore a version of the deal with the new US administration, Iran continues to be seen as seeking ways to stymie oversight of its nuclear program. IAEA inspectors have seen their access limited while enrichment programs have gone apace.

According to the 2015 deal, Iran is only allowed to enrich uranium to a level of 4 percent, which is what is needed to fuel atomic reactors. Nuclear weapons require uranium enriched to a level of 90 percent. However, once uranium has been taken to 60 percent, it is possible to enrich it to a higher level very quickly.

Tehran argues it needs the more highly enriched uranium for medical purposes. According to the IAEA, Iran possesses about 3,200 kilograms of uranium enriched to various levels, about 16 times more than allowed by the 2015 deal.

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