Iran has put in place a new process to speed up the pace of production of highly enriched uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday, as diplomatic talks to salvage the deal. of 2015 are at a standstill.
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In his latest report, the director general of the UN body, Rafael Grossi, informed the member states that Tehran had "
configured a new operational mode for the production of uranium enriched to 60%
" in its plant in Natanz (center) , according to a statement sent to AFP. From now on, "
two cascades of centrifuges
" will be used instead of only one previously - if we except an initial test of a few days in April -, explains the IAEA, adding that Iran has already started. the process.
Tehran had started in mid-April to enrich uranium to such a level, against 20% previously, well beyond the limit of 3.67% set by the international nuclear agreement concluded in Vienna in 2015. For to make a bomb, the enrichment must be pushed up to 90% although many other steps are necessary.
A possible resumption of talks in early September
The Islamic Republic, which has always denied wanting to acquire nuclear weapons, has gradually freed itself from the commitments made to limit its nuclear program in exchange for easing Western and UN sanctions.
The withdrawal of the United States in 2018 under the aegis of Donald Trump has indeed torpedoed the agreement.
His successor Joe Biden wants to reinstate him and indirect discussions, through the Europeans, started in April in Vienna.
But the diplomats separated on June 20 without concrete progress.
Read also: Iranian nuclear: the window is closing
The EU mentioned a possible resumption of talks in early September, while the new ultra-conservative Iranian president Ebrahim Raïssi said he was in favor of efforts to lift the US sanctions which are strangling his country's economy. The United States again urged Tehran on Monday to return to the negotiating table, expressing concern over another Iranian sprain: the production of uranium metal enriched at 20%.
According to the report presented by Rafael Grossi, Iran manufactured 200 grams of it, after announcing such a project in July for research purposes. Iran has "
no credible need to produce uranium metal,
" responded the US State Department. This is a sensitive subject because this material can be used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
