On Thursday, The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement indicating that Iran has re-launched a uranium enrichment process in one of its underground facilities located in Natanz. The move is a new clear violation of the nuclear agreement, the agency said.
Touching upon the details, the agency’s report revealed that the process has been carried out through the fourth set of advanced centrifuges (IR-2M). According to the report, Iran had started to pump natural UF6, which is used to feed centrifuges for enriching uranium, into the fourth group of 174 IR-2M centrifuges at the Natanz plant.
The Iranian move came two days after a senior US official stated his country’s readiness to return to the nuclear deal with Iran. The US withdrew from the agreement three years ago under the Trump administration. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the US official said that options, including indirect negotiations which would be carried through the European partners, to return to the nuclear deal are being considered.
It has been speculated that this development may cause a shift in the US’ position that has been become one of the main priorities since President Biden took the office, regarding ensuring Iran’s return to its obligations under the agreement and thus, lifting the sanctions imposed on Tehran.
