TEHRAN: Iran has produced more than 2.4 kg of nearly weapons grade uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), putting it well outside the bounds of an international nuclear deal it is allegedly working to salvage.
The move to enrich uranium to a purity level of nearly 60 per cent has happened since April, said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who has for weeks been signalling that he is worried about the direction of Iran's nuclear programme, dpa news agency reported.
The news could complicate talks about Iran's nuclear path. The country signed the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with the US and other countries limiting its nuclear stockpiles in exchange for lifting sanctions.
However, after former US president Donald Trump pulled out of the deal 2018, Iran began ignoring various aspects of the agreement as well.
Although talks are ongoing to restore a version of the deal with the new US administration, Iran continues to be seen as seeking ways to stymie oversight of its nuclear programme. IAEA inspectors have seen their access limited while enrichment programmes have gone apace. (IANS)
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