Iran's Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Kazem Gharibabadi announced that his country had notified the IAEA 9 days ago of its intention to produce pure uranium and that it had initiated practical steps to this end.

Abadi said that Iran is soon to produce the first supply of silicide fuel for Tehran Research Reactor, adding that "silicide fuel is a new type of nuclear fuel and very few countries own its technologies."

In return, the US State Department deemed Iran's decision an unfortunate step to the back, while the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Britain expressed their concern over increase in its enrichment levels.

The IAEA announced, on Tuesday, that Iran "plans to produce the Uranium metal enriched up to 20%", for usage "in the manufacturing of fuel for the Tehran research reactor."

The International Agency said that this step constitutes a multi-stage process, amid negotiations between Tehran and major countries in an attempt to revive the 2015 Nuclear Agreement.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) had commenced enriching Uranium up to 20 percent last January at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), based on the decision of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iranian Shura Council).