Iran has made progress in its work on enriched uranium metal despite Western warnings that such work threatens talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal, the UN nuclear watchdog said in a report released Monday.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"On Aug. 14 2021, the agency verified ... that Iran had used 257g of uranium enriched up to 20% U-235 in the form of UF4 [uranium tetrafluoride] to produce 200g of uranium metal-enriched up to 20% U-235," the International Atomic Energy Agency said, adding that this was step three in a four-step plan by Iran. The fourth includes producing a reactor fuel plate
Iran's work on enriched uranium metal has angered Europe's three top powers and the United States because that technology, and knowledge of how to produce it, can be used to make the core of a nuclear bomb. Iran insists its aims are entirely peaceful and it is developing a new type of reactor fuel.
"Iran has no credible need to produce uranium metal, which has direct relevance to nuclear weapons development," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
"Iran should cease its nuclear escalations and return to negotiations toward full implementation" of the nuclear agreement, he said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
