Iran is proceeding with the implementation of an advanced uranium enrichment program, shows a report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog, seen by Reuters on Monday (29), even as the West awaits the Asian country’s response to rescue the nuclear deal signed in 2015.
The first of three cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-6 centrifuges recently installed at the underground fuel enrichment plant (FEP) in Natanz is now carrying out material enrichment, the report said in reference to the latest underground unit where the machines advanced came into operation.
Diplomats say the IR-6 is their most advanced model, far more efficient than the first-generation IR-1 and the only enrichment device allowed under the 2015 deal.
For more than a year, Iran has been using IR-6 centrifuges to enrich uranium to as little as 60% purity, close to the grade required for making weapons, at an above-ground factory in Natanz.
Recently, the country has expanded its enrichment with IR-6 machines in other locations. Last month, a second cascade of IR-6 at Fordow, a unit inside a mountain, began to enrich the material by up to 20%.
In the confidential report to UN member states, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), wrote: “On August 28, 2022, the Agency verified in the FEP that Iran was feeding UF6 enriched in up to 2% of U-235 into the IR-6 cascade … for the production of UF6 enriched with up to 5% of U-235”
Uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is the gas enriched by centrifuges.
Source: CNN Brasil
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