U.S. urges Iran to dilute all its near-weapons-grade uranium

In a statement released on Wednesday, the United States urged Iran to dilute all of its enriched uranium to a purity of up to 60%, a level dangerously close to the weapons-grade threshold of roughly 90%. The statement condemned several recent nuclear activities undertaken by Tehran.

According to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to member states, Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to 60% has slightly decreased in the past quarter. This reduction was due to the process of diluting, or “downblending,” more of its highly enriched material than producing new stock.

While the report showed a decrease in the 60% enriched uranium, Iran still possesses enough of this material to potentially fuel two nuclear weapons based on theoretical calculations by IAEA standards. Additionally, it has sufficient material for more bombs at lower enrichment levels.

The United States called for Iran to downblend all of its 60% enriched stockpile, emphasizing the need to halt all production of uranium enriched to 60% completely. The rationale behind Iran’s downblending actions remains unclear, as the country maintains that its enrichment activities are for peaceful civilian purposes.

Despite Iran’s denials of nuclear weapons ambitions, Western powers question the justification for enriching uranium to such high levels, citing the lack of credible civil applications. The U.S. statement expressed significant concerns regarding Iran’s ongoing stockpiling of highly enriched uranium.

Highlighting Iran’s unique actions in the realm of uranium enrichment, the United States pointed out that no other country currently produces uranium enriched to 60% for the purpose claimed by Iran. This behavior goes against the norms observed by other non-nuclear weapons states party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In addition to the uranium issue, the U.S. criticized various actions by Iran that have drawn disapproval from the IAEA. These actions include the previous banning of some of the organization’s most experienced and expert inspectors by Iran last year, indicating a trend of non-compliance with international norms.

Reported by Francois Murphy and edited by Nick Macfie, the U.S. statement reflects escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities and the related concerns raised by the international community.