The criticisms of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not move Tehran. Pointed out by the institution for its lack of cooperation, Iran announced Sunday evening that it had taken retaliatory measures against it. But that’s not all.
The Persian country has started producing 60% enriched uranium at its Fordo plant, a rate well above the 3.67% threshold set by the 2015 international agreement on its nuclear program, announced on Tuesday Isna news agency.
“Iran has started production of 60% enriched uranium for the first time at Fordo,” the ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday. This underground plant located 180 kilometers south of Tehran had been recommissioned in 2019 and recently modified to achieve better efficiency.
IAEA faces restriction on inspections
The pact concluded between Iran and the West aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons, an objective that Iran has always denied pursuing. But following the 2018 withdrawal of the United States and the reinstatement of American sanctions which are stifling its economy, Tehran has gradually freed itself from its obligations.
In April 2021, Iran announced that it had started producing 60% enriched uranium at the Natanz site, approaching the 90% needed to make an atomic bomb.
This ramp-up comes as the IAEA faces a sharp restriction of its on-site inspections.