Iran's progress in producing 20 percent pure uranium metal

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that Iran has made progress in producing 20 percent enriched uranium metal, despite warnings from Western countries. This is a significant step towards producing nuclear weapons.

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

The agency said Iran's move comes despite warnings from Western powers that it is jeopardizing talks to revive the nuclear deal. Iran's efforts have raised concerns among the three European negotiating countries and the United States, as the technology could be used to build a nuclear bomb.

In July of this year, the Islamic Republic of Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it wanted to produce 20 percent pure uranium metal for research reactor fuel.

In December of last year, the Iranian parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to suspend voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol if financial, banking, and oil sanctions were not lifted by March 20 of that year and to put uranium metal production, 20 percent enrichment, and the use of advanced centrifuges on its agenda.

This deadline was extended for another three months and ended on June 30th.

Source: DW