A new report from Iranian state media has offered details on 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.
3.5% for electricity, 20% for medical radio therapy, 96% for weapons. 60% is a gentle provocation. One should heed.
60% is used by Nuclear Submarines and Nuclear Powered ships!
The Enriched Uranium Wiki says the Hiroshima bomb material was 80%. I’ve no idea whether or not this is a valid statement.