Anonymous ID: 66df26 July 1, 2019, 6:21 a.m. No.6888181   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>8292 >>8342 >>8389

Iran nuclear deal: Enriched uranium limit 'breached'

 

Iran has breached the limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, state media report.

 

Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif was quoted as confirming the 300kg (660lb) cap had been exceeded.

 

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it would be filing a report.

 

Iran stepped up production of enriched uranium, which is used to make reactor fuel and potentially nuclear weapons, in response to reinstated US sanctions.

 

European nations have warned that any violation will bring consequences.

 

If the breach is confirmed by the IAEA, the deal allows for the re-imposition of multilateral sanctions that were lifted in return for Iran limiting its nuclear activities.

 

What has Iran said?

 

"Based on what I have been told, Iran has exceeded the 300kg limit in accordance with its plan," Mr Zarif was quoted by the semi-official Isna news agency as telling reporters in Tehran on Monday afternoon.

 

"We have clearly said what we will do and we will act accordingly. We deem it as part of our rights under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," he added, referring to the official name of the nuclear deal.

 

An IAEA spokesman told the BBC that it was aware of the reports, adding: "Our inspectors are on the ground and they will report to headquarters as soon as the LEU [low-enriched uranium] stockpile has been verified."

 

Why does the enriched uranium stockpile matter?

Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words

The nuclear fuel cycle

 

The Iranian foreign ministry's spokesman meanwhile warned that Iran still planned to suspend other commitments under the deal in 10 days unless European powers took "practical and tangible steps" to implement their new mechanism for facilitating trade and shield the Iranian economy from the effects of the US sanctions.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48784786