It is an acceleration that takes on all its meaning in a geopolitical context under high tension. Iran has begun powering new centrifuges that allow it to “to grow strongly” its highly enriched uranium production rate, according to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report consulted by AFP. This change will have the effect of “to significantly increase the production of enriched uranium up to 60%”writes the IAEA.
This rate calculated per month could be multiplied by more than seven compared to the 4.7 kg of uranium reached.in the previous reporting period” observed by the Agency.
The nuclear risk
The IAEA calls on Iran to provide it “urgent” “technically credible” assurances that “the installation is not used“for”produce uranium at a higher enrichment level than stated“and there is”no diversion of declared nuclear materials“.
Speaking in Bahrain, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Iran’s decision to accelerate its production of enriched uranium was “a message“After the adoption of a critical resolution by the IAEA condemning its nuclear activities.
“This is a clear message in response to what (the Iranians, editor’s note) feel as pressure“Rafael Grossi told AFP.
In November, Iran announced the commission of “new advanced centrifuges“, in retaliation for the adoption of a critical resolution at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna condemning its lack of cooperation regarding its nuclear activities.
“It is quite clear that what is happening is a response to this“, Mr. Grossi said.The significance cannot be underestimated“, he added.
Centrifuges are machines that enrich the uranium transformed into gas, by rotating at a very high speed, which allow the increase in the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235) for different uses.
The new charge from Iran will allow “to significantly increase the enrichment capacity” of uranium, the spokesman of the Iranian Atomic Organization, Behrouz Kamalvandi, said on state television.
The return of Donald Trump
Tehran defends the right to nuclear energy for civilian purposes, especially for energy, but denies that it wants to acquire an atomic bomb, which Western countries suspect.
The NPT requires signatory states to declare and place their nuclear materials under the control of the IAEA.
In 2015, Iran concluded a deal in Vienna with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and the United States to regulate its nuclear program.
In return, the text envisages a reduction in international sanctions against Tehran.
But in 2018, Donald Trump, then president of the United States, unilaterally withdrew his country from the agreement – which Tehran complied with, according to the IAEA – and reimposed heavy sanctions.
In response, Tehran has significantly increased its stockpiles of enriched materials and raised the threshold to 60%, close to the 90% required to make an atomic weapon, under the IAEA definition.
(With AFP)
