IAEA to increase frequency of inspections at Iran’s nuclear facilities

Iran’s latest expansion of uranium enrichment beyond 20% purity at its above-ground pilot plant at Natanz has prompted the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog, to toughen up its inspections at that plant, the watchdog said, Report informs referring to Reuters.

The report detailed a plan by Iran to feed uranium enriched to up to 20% into more centrifuges at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) than the ones already enriching uranium there to up to 60%, which is close to weapons-grade, adding: “As a consequence ..., the Agency decided to increase the frequency and intensity of its safeguards activities at PFEP.”

The level of uranium enrichment in Iran allowed under the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal must not exceed 3.67%. In 2020, Iran was enriching uranium up to 4.5%. Iran also continues to enrich uranium to 60% and the country’s uranium has been so far enriched to 20%.