The International Atomic Energy Agency’s latest report on Iran’s nuclear program shows that the nation is meeting its commitments for the interim P5+1 nuclear deal, and is reducing its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium.
Iran had been performing 20 percent enrichment to make fuel for the US-built Tehran Research Reactor (TRR), but has stopped the enrichment and is converting its stockpile into fuel. The stockpile peaked at 196 kg in November and is down to 161 kg.
20 percent is well short of weapons-grade uranium, but was the highest enrichment Iran was doing by far. Its 5 percent enrichment program, for the Russian-built Bushehr Power Plant, continues to run and its stockpile of that level increased slightly over the quarter, as construction of one of the processing plants for fuel saw a delay.
The IAEA report confirmed Iran’s enrichment is at levels in keeping with the P5+1 deal, and that it has not installed any new centrifuges nor installed any components to the Arak reactor, per the six month deal.
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