Abu Dhabi, UAE
CNN
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Uranium particles enriched to near bomb-grade levels have been found at an Iranian nuclear facility, according to the UN’s nuclear watchdog, as the US warned that Tehran’s ability to build a nuclear bomb was accelerating.
In a restricted report seen by CNN, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that uranium particles enriched to 83.7% purity – which is close to the 90% enrichment levels needed to make a nuclear bomb – had been found in Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), an underground nuclear facility located some 20 miles northeast of the city of Qom.
The report says that in January, the IAEA took environmental samples at the Fordow plant, which showed the presence of high enriched uranium particles up to 83.7% purity.
The IAEA subsequently informed Iran that these findings were “inconsistent with the…
2023-03-01 12:07:21
Post from www.cnn.com
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report on Monday which stated that Iran’s nuclear program is producing uranium at a level close to weapons-grade purity. According to the IAEA, samples taken from the Natanz plant between February and May of this year indicate that the uranium is being enriched to a purity of 4.5%, which is far higher than the 3.67% limit set out in the 2015 nuclear deal.
The IAEA report also noted that Iran is continuing to produce a far higher quantity of enriched uranium than is necessary for its stated civilian nuclear energy program. This brings into question the Iranian government’s ability to adhere to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the JCPOA, Iran is banned from enriching uranium beyond 3.67%.
The IAEA report has increased international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement Monday condemning Iran’s actions, saying that the US is “concerned that Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons and thus threatens both the security of their fellow countries and the Middle East region.”
The IAEA report is a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and a reminder that the international community needs to remain vigilant in monitoring Iran’s progress. It is now up to the international community and signatories of the JCPOA to take action to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.