By Lindsay Potter
The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that Iran has reduced its highly enriched stockpile of near-weapons-grade, or 60%-enriched uranium, in the last quarter. Iran achieved this reduction by deliberately mixing enriched uranium with “low-grade 2% material,” the Wall Street Journal reported, marking the third time Iran has taken such a step. Iran continues to assert its nuclear program is strictly for civilian use. The move is largely interpreted as a step by Iran towards de-escalation, especially over tensions with the United States. However, the U.S. has accused Iran of preventing IAEA inspectors from carrying out their work by failing to comply, provide information, or barring inspectors from the country. After the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in 2018, Iran began to enrich uranium. Iran is the only country to enrich uranium to such a level of purity without also constructing a nuclear weapon, but has the right to do so for civilian purposes under the Nonproliferation Treaty. The U.S. continues to badger Iran at the IAEA for non-compliance and to insist that the IAEA probe deeper into Iran’s activities. Whether or not Iran’s efforts are so small as to only be symbolic, the U.S. continues to levy threats rather than hint at the possibility of mutual de-escalation.
— Reuters, March 7; Wall Street Journal, Feb. 26, 2024
Leave a Reply