Iran enriching to up to 60% at Fordow: IAEA
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As the UN atomic watchdog confirms that Tehran is enriching uranium at a 60% purity level, Europe bigwigs rush to denounce Iran’s nuclear expansion.
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An Iranian scientist at Fordow nuclear facility (AP)
In response to the recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) anti-Iran resolution that was drafted and pushed by the US and EU, Iran announced on Tuesday that it initiated enriching uranium at the Fordow nuclear power plant at a 60% purity level.
The IAEA was notified by Tehran about the decision in a letter, stating that this is to convey a strong message after the board of the UN nuclear energy passed the politically-oriented resolution.
Simultaneously, the UN nuclear watchdog affirmed, in a statement, Iran’s revelation.
"Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi today said Iran had started producing high enriched uranium - UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) enriched up to 60% - using the existing two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges in the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, in addition to such production that has taken place at Natanz since April 2021," the statement read.
Earlier last week, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that Iran took on Sunday several measures in the Natanz and Fordow uranium enrichment facilities in response to the anti-Iran resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.
Kanaani considered that the IAEA resolution has political goals and is an attempt to increase pressure on Iran by the United States and E3 (France, UK, and Germany).
UK, France, and Germany denounce Iran's nuclear program
London, Paris, and Berlin condemned Iran's nuclear expansion on Tuesday after the UN atomic watchdog confirmed that Tehran was enriching uranium further.
The so-called "E3" governments claimed Iran was moving "well beyond" what is confined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).
Britain, France, and Germany also vowed to discuss with foreign allies on the appropriate way to respond to Iran's continuous so-called "nuclear escalation".
It is worth noting that Iran's statement on the new measures also mentioned that IR-1 centrifuges at the Fordow plant were replaced by IR-6 advanced centrifuges that would speed up enrichment 10-fold, and are approved under a law previously passed by the Iranian Parliament back in 2020 in response to the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on the country.
