Iran’s decision to produce metallic uranium enriched to 20% pure, intended solely for peaceful purposes, said a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, adding that Tehran will cancel its nuclear steps as soon as US sanctions are lifted.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – July 8, 2021 – International News
“Contrary to the claims of the United States and European states … this measure is intended solely for peaceful purposes and is intended for use at the Tehran Research Reactor,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Hatibzadeh.
On Tuesday, the UN nuclear security service announced that Iran had begun production of enriched metallic uranium.
Tehran said it had informed the agency of its decision.
Iran’s move has drawn criticism from the United States and three European nations, which have been negotiating with Tehran since early April to renew a 2015 deal that agreed on Iran limit its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.
Washington withdrew from the agreement three years ago, and Iran gradually violated its restrictions in response.
“This measure does not contradict Iran’s non-proliferation commitments and guarantees under the 2015 agreement … and Tehran is ready to cancel its steps after the lifting of sanctions,” Khatibzadeh said.
On Tuesday, US and European officials made it clear that Iran’s decision would complicate and potentially “torpedo” indirect US-Iranian talks aimed at returning Tehran and Washington to full compliance with the pact.
This year, Tehran has already produced a small amount of unenriched metallic uranium. This is a violation of the agreement, which prohibits all work with uranium metal because it can be made into the nucleus of a nuclear bomb. Iran has always denied the existence of nuclear weapons.
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Source: Ukrgate
