Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds
According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord.
Iran is now enriching uranium with a new type of advanced centrifuge at its Natanz nuclear facility, according to a UN atomic watchdog report obtained by news agencies.
“On 15 March 2021, the Agency verified that Iran began feeding the cascade of 174 IR-4 centrifuges” to enrich uranium hexafluoride at its underground facility, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report submitted to member states on Monday.
The IR-4 centrifuges are Iran’s latest violation of the nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which curbed Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Under the agreement, Iran is only permitted to enrich uranium using IR-1 centrifuges, but the IAEA reported last November that Iran had begun operating the more advanced IR-2m machines at Natanz.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is used for peaceful purposes only.
