Official: Iran to enrich uranium to 60%, highest level ever
JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
FacebookTwitterEmail 6
1of6FILE - This file photo released Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. An Iranian nuclear negotiator says Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Tehran will begin enriching uranium to 60% purity after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, higher than the program ever has before. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)APShow MoreShow Less
2of6In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov greet each other by touching elbows and wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 prior to their talks in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Iran s foreign minister warned Tuesday that an attack on its main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz affects ongo
Iran to enrich uranium to its highest level ever but still short of weapons grade Published 2 hours ago
Share on Facebook
Print article DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iran will begin enriching uranium to 60% purity, higher than the program ever has before though still short of weapons grade, after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, an Iranian negotiator said Tuesday. The announcement marks a significant escalation after the sabotage, suspected of having been carried out by Israel. It could result in further action by Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed never to allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and further raise tensions across the Mideast.
Special Report panel discusses Biden s handling of growing tensions in the Middle East
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Iran will begin enriching uranium up to 60% purity after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, a negotiator said Tuesday, pushing its program to higher levels than ever before though still remaining short of weapons-grade.
The announcement marks a significant escalation after the sabotage that damaged centrifuges, suspected of having been carried out by Israel and could inspire a further response from Israel amid a long-running shadow war between the nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed never to allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon and his country has twice preemptively bombed Mideast nations to stop their atomic programs.
“The damaged centrifuges in Natanz . would be replaced with more-advanced centrifuges and more-capable centrifuges,” he said. “We insist on what we have asked. All sanctions should be lifted, we verify and then we go back to full compliance if we are satisfied with the verification process.”
Iran had been enriching up to 20% even that was a short technical step to weapons-grade levels of 90%.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, though the West and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Tehran had an organized military nuclear program up until the end of 2003. However, the nuclear deal prevents it from having enough of a uranium stockpile to be able to pursue a nuclear weapon.