Iran Says They Enriched 6.5 kg of Uranium up to 60%

Officials say 108 kg of 20% has been produced in five months

A new report from Iranian state media has offered details onĀ  how much highly enriched uranium they have produced. This included 108 kg of 20% enriched uranium, and 6.5 kg of 60% uranium, the highest level they’ve ever produced.

Iran’s parliament ordered the production in both cases after incidents. The 60% came after a recent Israeli sabotage of the Natanz facility. This was particularly controversial because Iran has no apparent use for 60% enriched uranium.

The 20% uranium is used for fuel rods at the Tehran Research Reactor. The production is well ahead of schedule, as parliament told them to make 120 kg this year, and in five months they’re through 90% of it.

In both cases, production is meant to start talks on sanctions relief, and Iran has reiterated that everything is reversible. In the case of excess enrichment, Iran could dilute the uranium down to more useful levels.

Iran’s production is largely in the 3% level, used for electricity generation. Despite hype surrounding the enrichment program, Iran has never enriched above the 60% rate, and that only 6.5 kg. Weapons grade uranium is at least 90% enriched, something Iran has never attempted.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.