Iran enriched uranium stockpile eight times 2015 deal limit, UN says

Iran enriched uranium stockpile eight times 2015 deal limit, UN says
The United Nations nuclear watchdog has said Iran has violated all its nuclear restrictions.
2 min read
05 June, 2020
Iran continues its nuclear proliferation programme [Getty]
Iran has continued enriching uranium beyond limits set in a 2015 deal with world powers, the UN's nuclear watchdog reported Friday.

The deal set down a limit of 300 kilogrammes of enriched uranium in a particular compound form, which is the equivalent of 202.8 kg of uranium.

In comparison to the latter number, the stockpile stood at 1,571.6 kg on May 20, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP and showing nearly eight times the limit.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said is is continuing "serious concern" at Iran's failure to provide access to two sites it wants to visit in relation to possible undeclared material and activities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency noted "with serious concern that, for over four months, Iran has denied access to Agency... to two locations".

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Iran signed the nuclear deal in 2015 with the United States, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia.

Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, it allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilograms (447 pounds).

The US pulled out of the deal unilaterally in 2018.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has also been continuing to enrich uranium to a purity of 4.5 per cent, higher than the 3.67 per cent allowed under the JCPOA.

The nuclear deal promised Iran economic incentives in return for the curbs on its nuclear program.

Since President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal, Iran has been slowly violating the restrictions.

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