rates close to the threshold for manufacturing an atomic bomb detected by the IAEA

What is Tehran up to? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has detected particles of 83.7% enriched uranium in Iran, just below the 90% needed to produce an atomic bomb, according to a report by this body. UN consulted on Tuesday 28 February by AFP. These particles were discovered in samples collected in January from Fordo’s underground factory.

The agency asked “clarifications” And “Discussions are still ongoing” to determine the origin of these particles, according to the report, which will be presented next week at the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna.

Tehran evokes “involuntary fluctuations”

Iran, which denies wanting to acquire atomic weapons, told the agency “involuntary fluctuations” during the enrichment process. Last week, Tehran claimed “having made no attempt to enrich beyond 60%”. “The presence of particles beyond 60% does not mean that there is an enrichment of more than 60%”assured the spokesman of the Iranian Nuclear Energy Organization, Behrouz Kamalvandi.

This information comes as negotiations to revive the agreement reached in 2015 to limit Iran’s atomic activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions have stalled. Since 2018, the Islamic Republic has gradually freed itself from its commitments. As of February 12, its total stock of enriched uranium thus amounted to 3,760.8 kg, or more than 18 times the limit authorized by the agreement, according to IAEA estimates. Above all, Iran is enriching at ever higher levels, far from the limit set at 3.67%: it thus has 434.7 kg at 20% and 87.5 kg at 60%.