Iran's AEOI slams 84% uranium enrichment claims as false

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Feb 2023 11:47

The AEOI spokesperson says the presence of uranium particles with purity levels exceeding 60% does not mean that uranium is being enriched at levels above 60%.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), refuted on Tuesday information mentioned in a report published by Bloomberg.

In its report, Bloomberg claimed that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found uranium materials in Iran enriched up to 84%, adding that "inspectors need to determine whether Iran intentionally produced the material, or whether the concentration was an unintended accumulation within the network of pipes connecting the hundreds of fast-spinning centrifuges used to separate the isotopes."

In response, Kamalvandi said the Bloomberg report is an attempt to falsify facts, explaining that throughout the enrichment process, the presence of uranium particles with purity levels exceeding 60% does not mean that uranium is being enriched at levels above 60%.

In an interview for the state-run IRNA news agency, the AEOI spokesperson stressed that "what matters is the final product and Iran has never started uranium enrichment at a level above 60 percent," adding that "the IAEA is well aware that such issues happen during nuclear work."

He continued, "In various cases in the past, different levels of enrichment have been observed and have been accounted for, and this latest issue will be definitely clarified as well."

Elsewhere, Kamalvandi considered that "publicizing these matters through Western media once again proves that, regretfully, the IAEA has abandoned its professional and unbiased position since a long time ago."

"It [the IAEA] purposefully shares technical material with Western media, and this behavior will undoubtedly further taint the image of this significant international body," the Iranian spokesperson clarified.

Preparations underway for IAEA delegation visit to Tehran

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a phone conversation that preparations are underway in Tehran for a visit by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi.

"We are planning for an IAEA delegation visit to Tehran and we have common initiatives on our agenda," Amir-Abdollahian said, as per the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

According to the top Iranian diplomat, if the IAEA "acts based on a technical and non-political viewpoint, attaining a framework for the resolution of the issue is possible."

On his part, Borrell stressed the importance of continuing talks between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog.