IAEA reports Iranian progress on uranium metal

IAEA reports Iranian progress on uranium metal despite Western objections

The IAEA reports that Iran has made advances in its work on enriching uranium, despite Western warnings that such activity threatens talks aimed at reviving a 2015 nuclear deal

MENA

2 min read

�� Staff & Agencies

17 August, 2021

Western countries have warned Iran against enriching uranium at its nuclear sites [Getty]

Iran has made progress in its , the UN nuclear watchdog said in a report to member states on Monday seen by Reuters, despite Western warnings that such work threatens

"On 14 August 2021, the Agency verified ... that Iran had used 257 g of uranium enriched up to 20% U-235 in the form of UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) to produce 200 g of uranium metal enriched up to 20% U-235," the International Atomic Energy Agency said, adding that this was step three in a four-step plan by Iran. The fourth includes producing a reactor fuel plate.

Iran's work on enriched uranium metal has and the United States because that technology, and knowledge of how to produce it, can be used to make the core of a nuclear bomb. Iran insists its aims are entirely peaceful and it is developing a new type of reactor fuel.

"Iran has no credible need to produce uranium metal, which has direct relevance to nuclear weapons development," U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

"Iran should cease its nuclear escalations and return to negotiations toward full implementation" of the nuclear agreement, he said.