Iran to increase uranium enrichment in breach of nuclear deal
SMA NEWS – IAEA
Iran has signalled that it intends to start enriching uranium to 20% purity, in its most significant breach yet of the 2015 nuclear deal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had informed it of plans to enhance enrichment at its Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, 20 miles northeast of the city of Qom.
In a statement, the agency said: “Iran has informed the agency that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by the country’s parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20% at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.”
The IAEA did not say when Iran plans to boost enrichment but its inspectors are in the country and have regular access to Fordow.
The enrichment plant is about the size of a football field, shielded by mountains and protected by anti-aircraft guns.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, no enrichment is to take place there and it was meant to have been turned into a research and development site.
The agreement also set other conditions, including a 3.67% limit on the purity to which Iran can enrich uranium.
