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World Affairs
Pradeep Kumar

17/04/21 10:20 AM IST

Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%

In news

Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest-ever purity, edging close to weapons-grade levels, as it attempts to pressure negotiators in Vienna

Details
  • The move drew a rebuke from U.S. President Joe Biden, who noted that negotiations were continuing anyway.
  • Only a few grams an hour of uranium gas would be enriched up to 60 per cent purity — triple its previous level but at a quantity far lower than what the Islamic Republic had been able to produce.
  • Iran also is enriching at an above-ground facility at its Natanz nuclear site already visited by international inspectors, not deep within underground halls hardened to withstand airstrikes.
  • The International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Iran’s nuclear program, did not respond to a request for comment. 
  • Israel, which has twice bombed Mideast countries to stop their nuclear programs, plans to hold a meeting of its top security officials Sunday over the Iranian announcement. 
  • Israel is determined to defend itself against any attempt to harm its sovereignty or citizens, and will do whatever it takes to prevent this radical and anti-Semitic regime from acquiring nuclear weapons
Iran's stand

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, though the West and the IAEA say Tehran had an organized military nuclear program up until the end of 2003.
Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities that we judge would be necessary to produce a nuclear device.

Source: Indian Express

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