Uranium near bomb-grade level found at Iran nuclear plant, says UN agency

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), uranium particles enriched almost to bomb-grade levels have been found at an Iranian nuclear facility. citing a report CNN Said uranium particles were found to be enriched to 83.7 percent purity – close to the 90 percent enrichment level needed to make an atomic bomb. The Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), where the particles were found, is an underground facility located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of the city of Qom, said CNN,

The IAEA took samples of the environment at the plant on 22 January, which showed highly enriched uranium particles.

The UN body also informed Iran that these findings are “inconsistent with the levels of enrichment at the Fordow plant declared by Iran and requested Iran to explain the origin of these particles,” according to CNN,

“These incidents clearly indicate the agency’s ability to detect and report changes in the operations of nuclear facilities in Iran in a timely manner,” it continued.

Asked about the presence of particles, Iran said that “unexpected fluctuations” could occur during the enrichment process.

The report further states that Iran’s uranium reserves have been enriched by 60 percent, increasing by 87.5 kg since the last report in November, 2022.

A US State Department spokesman said on Tuesday that the IAEA report presented a potentially “very serious development”.

Iran has been enriching uranium beyond limits set in a landmark 2015 deal with world powers that began only after the United States pulled out in 2018.

The deal was designed to provide Iran with necessary sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

Talks between world powers to return to the deal were due to begin in 2021 but have been stalled since last year.