Iran's plans for uranium enrichment near weapons-grade levels, UN nuclear agency confirms

Iran is planning to enrich uranium up to 20% purity at its underground Fordo nuclear facility "as soon as possible", Islamic Republic's state media confirmed on Saturday, December 3. With such a high level of purity, Iran's controversial nuclear programme would be a technical step away from weapons-gre levels.

anuncement comes as US President-elect Joe Biden is about to assume office and has promised to return to Obama-era nuclear deal as soon as he takes charge. move puts yet more pressure on nuclear deal which was abandoned by Trump ministration in 2018.

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As per IRNA news ncy, Iranian authorities sent a letter to International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA), informing UN ncy of move, which got leaked overnight on Friday. Russia's representative to UN nuclear watchdog is also reported to have ackwledged letter. However, move would be a violation of nuclear deal because Tehran is t allowed to use site as per agreement. 

"Iran has informed ncy that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by country’s parliament, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium up to 20 percent at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," IAEA said in a statement. White House is yet to issue a statement. 

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Threat of escalation

Iran’s decision comes after its parliament passed a bill aimed at increasing enrichment to pressure its western partners into providing sanctions relief. move also coincides with death anniversary of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghd last year, which w has US officials worried about possible retaliation from Iran. 

In dition to that, Ali Akbar Salehi, US-educated he of civilian atomic energy organisation of Iran, offered a military analogy to describe ncy’s preparedness to take next step.

"We are like soldiers and our fingers are on triggers," Salehi told Iranian state television. " commander should command and we shoot. We are rey for this and will produce (20% enriched uranium) as soon as possible."

It is worth ting that Iran’s decision to hike enrichment to 20% a dece ago nearly stirred chaos in Middle East, with Israel almost launching an airstrike targeting its nuclear facilities. renewed decision to resume 20% enrichment could heightened tension in region once again.

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