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Iran says it is advancing research into the production of uranium metal with the aim of fueling a research reactor in Tehran.
Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has called on a global nuclear watchdog to prevent “misunderstandings” after three European powers issued a warning over the country’s nuclear program progress.
As required by a law passed by Iran’s parliament in early December, the country’s nuclear organization has five months to prepare to produce uranium metal – an element that provides the nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. nuclear center.
In a statement on Saturday, France, Germany and Britain – the three European signatories to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers – said Tehran’s plans to produce uranium metal had “Potentially serious military implications” and that the country had “no credible civilian uses” for the product.
“We urge Iran to stop its activity and return without further delay to honoring its commitments under the JCPOA if it is serious about preserving the agreement,” they said, referring to the official name of Iran. Okay, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“Unnecessary details”
Their statement came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran said it was advancing research into the production of uranium metal with the aim of fueling a research reactor. in Tehran.
“We hope that the IAEA will avoid creating misunderstandings by mentioning unnecessary details in its reports,” the organization said.
As part of the 2015 deal, which was also signed by the United States, China and Russia, Iran agreed to a 15-year ban on producing or acquiring uranium metals, among others. He received sanctions relief in return.
But a year after outgoing US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the deal in May 2018 and imposed tough sanctions, Iran has gradually reduced its commitments under the deal.
In November of last year, Iran’s top nuclear and military scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated, escalating tensions and prompting the Iranian parliament to pass the law calling for further cancellations of commitments under the deal until sanctions are lifted.
US President-elect Joe Biden, who has pledged to revitalize the nuclear deal he helped seal under former President Barack Obama, has until February 21 to revert to the deal before Iran does further increases nuclear activity and asks IAEA inspectors to leave the country.
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