Iran’s Progress in Producing Metallic Uranium Enriched to 20 Percent

The International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that Iran’s government has made progress in producing metallic uranium enriched to 20 percent despite warnings from Western countries. The production of this uranium is an important step toward nuclear weapons development.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran used 257 grams of 20 percent enriched uranium to produce 200 grams of 20 percent enriched metallic uranium. According to Reuters news agency, the Agency added that this step represents the third phase in Iran’s four-stage program. The fourth stage involves the production of reactor fuel plates.

The Agency says Iran’s action comes despite warnings from Western countries that it jeopardizes negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear deal. Iran’s efforts in this area have raised concerns among the three European parties to negotiations and the United States, as this technology can be used to manufacture nuclear bombs.

The Islamic Republic of Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency in June of this year that it intended to produce metallic uranium enriched to 20 percent for fuel in its research reactor.

The Iranian Parliament passed a resolution in December of last year obligating the government to suspend voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol and add metallic uranium production, 20 percent enrichment, and the use of advanced centrifuges to its agenda if financial, banking, and oil sanctions were not lifted by March 21 of that year.

This three-month deadline was extended again and ended on June 21.

Source: DW