Iran slows enrichment of near-weapons-grade uranium
Iran has slowed its enrichment of near-weapons-grade uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The move is seen as a positive step, but it is not clear if it will be enough to satisfy the West.
The IAEA said in a report on Monday that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium had decreased by about 3.8 kilograms since its previous report in June. The report also said that Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60% purity had slowed from 23.8 kilograms in June to 7.5 kilograms in August.
The IAEA’s report comes as Iran and the West are negotiating a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, which would limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The deal has been in limbo since 2018, when the United States withdrew from it and imposed tough sanctions on Iran.
The slowdown in Iran’s uranium enrichment is seen as a positive step by the West, but it is not clear if it will be enough to satisfy the United States and its allies. The United States has said that it wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity.
The IAEA’s report also said that Iran has not provided the agency with “credible information” about the presence of nuclear material at undeclared sites in Iran. This is a major sticking point in the nuclear negotiations.
The nuclear negotiations are ongoing, and it is unclear when they will be concluded. The slowdown in Iran’s uranium enrichment is a positive step, but it is not clear if it will be enough to break the deadlock in the negotiations.
Here are some of the reactions to the IAEA’s report:
- The United States said it was “encouraged” by the report, but that it was “still too early to say” if Iran was serious about returning to the nuclear deal.
- Iran said it was “committed” to the nuclear deal and that it was “ready to take further steps” to revive the agreement.
- The European Union said it was “monitoring the situation closely” and called for “all parties to show flexibility and compromise” in the negotiations.
The IAEA’s report is a positive development, but it is important to note that Iran has slowed its enrichment of uranium before, only to resume it later. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether Iran is serious about returning to the nuclear deal.
