The United States condemned many of Tehran’s recent nuclear moves in a statement on Wednesday, calling on Iran to dilute all uranium it enriches to a purity of up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels of about 90%.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a confidential report to member states last week that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium fell slightly over the past quarter as Iran diluted, or “diluted,” more highly enriched uranium material. than it produced.
Reports seen by Reuters show that Iran still has enough of this material to fuel two nuclear weapons if further enriched, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s theoretical definition, and enough to build more bombs at lower enrichment levels.
“Iran should reduce all, not part, of its 60 percent stockpile and completely cease all enrichment to 60 percent,” the United States said in a statement on Iran to the quarterly meeting of the 35-nation International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors. % of uranium production.” Governors.
It is unclear why Iran reduced the concentration of this material. It denies seeking nuclear weapons and says it has the right to carry out high-level enrichment for civilian purposes. Western powers say there is no credible civil justification for increasing affluence to such high levels.
“We remain seriously concerned about Iran’s continued stockpile of highly enriched uranium,” the U.S. statement said.
“No other country currently produces uranium enriched to 60% for the purposes claimed by Iran, and Iran’s actions are inconsistent with those of all other non-nuclear weapon states parties to the NPT.” [Non-Proliferation Treaty],” it added.
The United States has also condemned various moves by Iran, many of which the IAEA has criticized, such as last year’s banning of some of the IAEA’s most experienced and expert inspectors.
