IAEA Chides Iran For Undeclared Change To Fordow Uranium Enrichment Setup
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) The U.N. nuclear watchdog criticised Iran on Wednesday for
making an undeclared change to the interconnection between the two
clusters of advanced machines enriching uranium to up to 60%
purity, close to weapons grade, at its Fordow plant, trend reports citing reuters .
The International Atomic energy Agency found the change during
an unannounced inspection on Jan. 21 at the Fordow fuel enrichment
Plant (FFEP), a site dug into a mountain where inspectors are
stepping up checks after Iran said it would dramatically expand
enrichment.
Fordow is so sensitive that the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran
and major powers banned enrichment there. Since the United States
pulled out of the deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions against
Iran, the Islamic Republic has breached many of the deal's
restrictions on its nuclear activities.
In a confidential report to member states seen by Reuters, the
IAEA did not say how the interconnection between the two cascades
of IR-6 centrifuges had been changed except that 'they were
interconnected in a way that was substantially different from the
mode of operation declared by Iran (to the IAEA)'.
In a public statement summarising that confidential report, the
IAEA said its chief Rafael Grossi 'is concerned that Iran
implemented a substantial change in the design information of FFEP
in relation to the production of high-enriched uranium without
informing the Agency in advance.'
'This is inconsistent with Iran's obligations under its
Safeguards Agreement and undermines the Agency's ability to adjust
the safeguards approach for FFEP and implement effective safeguards
measures at this facility.'
The IAEA has had regular access to Fordow to carry out
verification activities like inspections and it is in talks with
Iran on stepping up those activities, the report said.
'The Agency and Iran have continued their discussions. The
Agency has increased the frequency and intensity of its
verification activities at FFEP. However, some other safeguards
measures are still required and are being discussed with Iran,' the
report added.
MENAFN01022023000187011040ID1105511989
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.