Apr 17, 2021
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest-ever purity, edging close to weapons-grade levels, as it attempts to pressure negotiators in Vienna amid talks on restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main enrichment site.
The move drew a rebuke from U.S. President Joe Biden, who noted that negotiations were continuing anyway.
A top official said only a few grams an hour of uranium gas would be enriched up to 60% purity triple its previous level but at a quantity far lower than what the Islamic Republic had been able to produce. Iran also is enriching at an above-ground facility at its Natanz nuclear site already visited by international inspectors, not deep within underground halls hardened to withstand airstrikes.
Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever wistv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wistv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Now, any enrichment (level) is possible if we decide it
Iranian scientists have successfully enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, its highest ever levels, senior Iranian officials declared on Friday.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf first made the announcement on Twitter, five days after an attack at its Natanz nuclear facility that Iran has blamed on Israel.
“The will of the Iranian nation is a miracle-maker and it will defuse any conspiracy,” state television quoted Qalibaf as saying. He said the enrichment began just after midnight Friday.
The development was confirmed by Iran’s top nuclear official, who said the process was conducted at Natanz.
Iran starts enriching uranium to 60pc, its highest level ever
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The announcement also marks a significant escalation after attack that damaged centrifuges at Natanz
DUBAI (AP) Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest level ever, edging closer to weapons-grade levels to pressure talks in Vienna aimed at restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main atomic site.
A top official said only a few grams an hour of uranium gas would be enriched up to 60% purity triple the level it once did but at a rate far slower than what Tehran could produce. International inspectors already said Iran planned to do so above-ground at its Natanz nuclear site, not deep within its underground halls hardened to withstand airstrikes.