IAEA verifies Iran has started enriching uranium to 60% purity
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified that has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, a measure the Islamic Republic had promised to take following an Israeli act of nuclear terrorism against it.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog verified the development on Saturday, and Director-General Rafael Grossi relayed the confirmation in a notification addressed to the agency's Board of Governors.
"Grossi said the Agency today verified that Iran had begun the production of UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) enriched up to 60% U-235 (the main fissile isotope of uranium)," an IAEA spokesman said.
The process got underway, the official said "by feeding UF6 enriched up to 5% U-235 simultaneously into two cascades of IR-4 centrifuges and IR-6 centrifuges" at Natanz Nuclear Facility in the central Iranian province of Isfahan.
The Islamic Republic had announced that it sought to take the measure after an Israeli act of sabotage cut the power across the installation on Sunday. According to officials, the terror act did not lead to any casualties, damages or complications.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, said Iran had told the agency that the uranium hexafluoride that has been produced by the country through the process enjoys a 55.3-percent purity level.