Iran has cut stock closest to nuke-arms grade: IAEA

April 17, 2014 06:42 pm | Updated May 21, 2016 11:51 am IST - VIENNA

Iran has converted most of a nuclear stockpile that it could have turned quickly into weapons—grade uranium into less volatile forms as part of a deal with six world powers, the U.N. atomic agency reported on Thursday.

The development leaves Iran with substantially less of the 20—per cent enriched uranium that it would need for a nuclear warhead. Iran denies any interest in atomic arms. But it agreed to some nuclear concessions in exchange for a partial lifting of sanctions crippling its economy under the deal, which took effect in January.

Uranium at 20 per cent is only a technical step away from weapons—grade material. By the time the agreement was reached late last year, Iran had amassed nearly 200 kg. With further enrichment, that would have yielded almost enough weapons—grade uranium for one atomic bomb.

Under its agreement, Iran agreed to stop enriching to grades beyond 5 per cent, the level most commonly used to power reactors. It also committed to neutralizing all its 20—per cent stockpile half by diluting to a grade that is less proliferation—prone and the rest by conversion to oxide used for reactor fuel

In line with information given The Associated Press by diplomats earlier this week, the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Thursday that Iran had completed the dilution process.

The confidential IAEA report obtained by the AP also said conversion also was well underway, with over 50 kg of the 20—per cent material rendered into oxide.

Iran has until July to fulfill all of its commitments under the deal. But it has to show progress in exchange for sanctions relief, and it is eager to get its hand on the next tranche of some $4.2 billion of oil revenue funds frozen under international sanctions meant to force it into nuclear compromise.

The November agreement between Iran and the six the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany is meant to lead to a comprehensive deal placing long—term caps on Iran’s enrichment program and other atomic activities in exchange for full sanctions relief. The two sides hope to reach agreement by July but can extend negotiations if both agree to do so.

Beyond its commitments to neutralize its 20—per cent uranium stock, the IAEA report said that Iran also was complying with other obligations under the six—month interim plan, which restricts Tehran from expanding any activities that could be turned toward making a nuclear weapon.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.