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The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran had informed it that it intended to produce 20 percent enriched uranium, which is much higher than what was stipulated in the nuclear deal between Tehran and major countries in 2015.
A spokesperson for the agency told France Press that “Iran informed the agency of its intention to enrich uranium at a rate that could reach 20 percent at the Fordo underground facility, in implementation of a law recently adopted by the Iranian parliament. “. The spokesman said the letter, dated December 31, “did not clarify when enrichment activities would begin.”
The Russian ambassador to the agency, Mikhail Ulyanov, had previously disclosed this information on Twitter, referring to a report delivered by CEO Rafael Grossi to the Board of Governors.
In Vienna, a diplomat told France Press, who asked not to be named, “This is additional pressure,” as Iran increasingly frees itself from its obligations.
In its latest report published in November, the Agency talks about the enrichment operations carried out by Iran that exceed the rate stipulated in the nuclear agreement, which is set at 3.67 percent, and does not exceed 4.5 percent. hundred, while the Islamic Republic continues to adhere to the strict inspection regime. Made by the agency. However, the dossier is experiencing complications since the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh last November.
After the attack, which Iran accused Israel of being behind it, Tehran’s toughest wing vowed to respond, and parliament adopted a controversial law allowing the production and storage of “at least 120 kilograms per year of enriched uranium to the 20 percent “and calls for the” cessation “of its inspections. International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Iranian government expressed its opposition to this step, which was condemned by other parties involved in the nuclear deal, and asked in December that Tehran not risk the future. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif issued a warning saying: “Democracies cannot ask Iran to violate parliamentary legislation.”
The countries involved in the nuclear deal – China, France, Germany, Russia and the UK – are looking to buy time, relying on a different approach than US President-elect Joe Biden.
Biden had announced his adherence to the nuclear deal, from which outgoing President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
The expulsion of the inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the resumption of enrichment activities at 20 percent, which is the enrichment rate that Iran had achieved before the agreement, would refer the Iranian nuclear file to the Security Council of the UN and would undermine the entire deal.
