The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said&nbsp; in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.”

He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment.

He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-natanz-nuclear-facility-hit-by-terrorist-act-376895/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency.

“Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.”&nbsp;

“You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.” He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment. He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers. “A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency. “Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.” “You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s uranium enrichment now at levels of ‘countries making bombs’: IAEA chief

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month&nbsp;an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites.

IAEA made this announcement on Monday even as talks continue in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

"The equipment and the verification and the monitoring activities that we agreed will continue as they are now for one month expiring on June 24th, 2021," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi told a news conference.

Iran in late February limited the IAEA's access to nuclear sites it has been monitoring as part of the 2015 landmark deal.

An agreement, reached on February 21 for a duration of three months, allowed some inspections to continue.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unclear-if-iran-ready-to-return-to-nuclear-pact-says-us-386959">Unclear if Iran ready to return to nuclear pact, says US</a>

Grossi said that besides extending that understanding, Tehran had also agreed that information collected so far by agency equipment in Iran would not be erased.

He said the outcome of this "long discussion" was "important" but the situation was "not ideal".

"We should all be reminded that the temporary understanding is a sort of stop-gap measure. It is to avoid flying completely blind," he said.

Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. But the deal began to unravel in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew USA from it and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Iran said Monday that talks in Vienna depend on a "political decision" by the US, after Washington questioned Tehran's readiness to return to compliance with the accord.

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unclear-if-iran-ready-to-return-to-nuclear-pact-says-us-386959">Antony Blinken had said it remains unclear</a> whether Iran is "ready and willing" to take the necessary steps to return to compliance with the multi-nation nuclear agreement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites.

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites. IAEA made this announcement on Monday even as talks continue in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. "The equipment and the verification and the monitoring activities that we agreed will continue as they are now for one month expiring on June 24th, 2021," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi told a news conference. Iran in late February limited the IAEA's access to nuclear sites it has been monitoring as part of the 2015 landmark deal. An agreement, reached on February 21 for a duration of three months, allowed some inspections to continue. Also Read | Unclear if Iran ready to return to nuclear pact, says US Grossi said that besides extending that understanding, Tehran had also agreed that information collected so far by agency equipment in Iran would not be erased. He said the outcome of this "long discussion" was "important" but the situation was "not ideal". "We should all be reminded that the temporary understanding is a sort of stop-gap measure. It is to avoid flying completely blind," he said. Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. But the deal began to unravel in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew USA from it and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran said Monday that talks in Vienna depend on a "political decision" by the US, after Washington questioned Tehran's readiness to return to compliance with the accord. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said it remains unclear whether Iran is "ready and willing" to take the necessary steps to return to compliance with the multi-nation nuclear agreement. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran nuclear sites inspection agreement extended by one month, says IAEA

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites.&nbsp;

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is to hold a news conference on Sunday afternoon. He is in talks with Iran on extending the monitoring arrangement with Tehran that could affect talks between Tehran and six powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, the IAEA said.&nbsp;

"From May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement," state TV quoted Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying.&nbsp;

Iran began gradually breaching terms of the pact with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.&nbsp;

The pact aims to keep Iran from being able to make nuclear arms, which Tehran says it has never wanted to build.&nbsp;

In February, the watchdog and Iran agreed to keep 'necessary' IAEA monitoring and verification activities in the Islamic Republic, although Tehran would reduce cooperation with the agency, including by ending snap inspections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites.

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is to hold a news conference on Sunday afternoon. He is in talks with Iran on extending the monitoring arrangement with Tehran that could affect talks between Tehran and six powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, the IAEA said. "From May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement," state TV quoted Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying. Iran began gradually breaching terms of the pact with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The pact aims to keep Iran from being able to make nuclear arms, which Tehran says it has never wanted to build. In February, the watchdog and Iran agreed to keep 'necessary' IAEA monitoring and verification activities in the Islamic Republic, although Tehran would reduce cooperation with the agency, including by ending snap inspections. (With inputs from agencies)

IAEA will have no access to Iran's nuclear sites images, says top lawmaker 

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels. 
 
"According to Iran, fluctuations of the enrichment levels ... were experienced," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in the report to its member states. 
 
"The Agency`s analysis of the ES (environmental samples) taken on 22 April 2021 shows an enrichment level of up to 63% U-235, which is consistent with the fluctuations of the enrichment levels (described by Iran)," it added, without saying why the fluctuations had occurred.

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels.

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels. "According to Iran, fluctuations of the enrichment levels ... were experienced," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in the report to its member states. "The Agency`s analysis of the ES (environmental samples) taken on 22 April 2021 shows an enrichment level of up to 63% U-235, which is consistent with the fluctuations of the enrichment levels (described by Iran)," it added, without saying why the fluctuations had occurred.

Iran has enriched uranium up to 63% purity, IAEA report says

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday. &nbsp;

Tehran and the powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April to work on steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Iran's recent breaches of the deal, to bring back Tehran and Washington into full compliance with the accord. &nbsp;

"We are on the right track and some progress has been made, but this does not mean that the talks in Vienna have reached the final stage," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference in Tehran.&nbsp;

"Practical solutions are still far away, but we have moved from general words to agreeing on specific steps towards the goal,” Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog agency (IAEA), wrote on Twitter on Monday.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden's administration, which took office in January pledging to rejoin the deal, has said it is ready to remove 'all sanctions that are inconsistent' with the accord, but not spelled out which measures it means. &nbsp;

Iran's clerical establishment has said it will not return to strict observance of the 2015 agreement unless all sanctions reimposed or added by former President Donald Trump after he ditched the accord in 2018 are rescinded first.&nbsp;

Diplomats say sequenced steps by each side may offer a solution, while Iranian officials said the high-stakes talks in Vienna might yield an interim deal to give space to diplomacy on a lasting settlement.&nbsp;

"The May deadline is approaching...What is being discussed in Vienna for the near term is the main outlines of an interim deal to give all sides more time to resolve complicated technical issues," said an Iranian official. &nbsp;

He referred to a law passed by Iran's hardline-dominated parliament that obliges the government to harden its nuclear stance if sanctions are not lifted. &nbsp;

The law mandated an end to short-notice UN nuclear inspections from February 21, but Tehran and the IAEA agreed to keep up ‘necessary' monitoring for up to three months. &nbsp;

Another Iranian official said that if a political agreement was reached on technical steps to remove all sanctions, Tehran might suspend enrichment to 20% purity in return for a release of blocked Iranian funds in other countries.&nbsp;

Iran says $20 billion of its oil revenue has been frozen in countries like South Korea, Iraq and China under the US sanctions regime since 2018. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday.

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday. Tehran and the powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April to work on steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Iran's recent breaches of the deal, to bring back Tehran and Washington into full compliance with the accord. "We are on the right track and some progress has been made, but this does not mean that the talks in Vienna have reached the final stage," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference in Tehran. "Practical solutions are still far away, but we have moved from general words to agreeing on specific steps towards the goal,” Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog agency (IAEA), wrote on Twitter on Monday. US President Joe Biden's administration, which took office in January pledging to rejoin the deal, has said it is ready to remove 'all sanctions that are inconsistent' with the accord, but not spelled out which measures it means. Iran's clerical establishment has said it will not return to strict observance of the 2015 agreement unless all sanctions reimposed or added by former President Donald Trump after he ditched the accord in 2018 are rescinded first. Diplomats say sequenced steps by each side may offer a solution, while Iranian officials said the high-stakes talks in Vienna might yield an interim deal to give space to diplomacy on a lasting settlement. "The May deadline is approaching...What is being discussed in Vienna for the near term is the main outlines of an interim deal to give all sides more time to resolve complicated technical issues," said an Iranian official. He referred to a law passed by Iran's hardline-dominated parliament that obliges the government to harden its nuclear stance if sanctions are not lifted. The law mandated an end to short-notice UN nuclear inspections from February 21, but Tehran and the IAEA agreed to keep up ‘necessary' monitoring for up to three months. Another Iranian official said that if a political agreement was reached on technical steps to remove all sanctions, Tehran might suspend enrichment to 20% purity in return for a release of blocked Iranian funds in other countries. Iran says $20 billion of its oil revenue has been frozen in countries like South Korea, Iraq and China under the US sanctions regime since 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

Nuclear talks make some progress, interim deal possible, say Iranian officials 

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials.&nbsp;

The move has complicated talks aimed at reviving Iran's nuclear deal with major powers as it is a big step towards producing weapons-grade uranium.&nbsp;

Iran had previously only reached 20% purity, and that was already a breach of the deal, which says Iran can only enrich to 3.67%.&nbsp;

Iran made the step up to 60% in response to an explosion that damaged equipment at the larger, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Tehran has blamed Israel and named a man wanted in connection with the blast.&nbsp;

"The Agency today verified that Iran had begun the production of UF6 enriched up to 60%... at the (above-ground) Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement. &nbsp;

UF6 is uranium hexafluoride, the form in which uranium is fed into centrifuges for enrichment.&nbsp;

A confidential IAEA report to member states provided more details. &nbsp;

"According to Iran's declaration to the Agency, the enrichment level of the UF6 produced at PFEP was 55.3% U-235. The Agency took a sample of the produced UF6 for destructive analysis to independently verify the enrichment level declared by Iran. The results of this analysis will be reported by the Agency in due course," the report said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials.

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials. The move has complicated talks aimed at reviving Iran's nuclear deal with major powers as it is a big step towards producing weapons-grade uranium. Iran had previously only reached 20% purity, and that was already a breach of the deal, which says Iran can only enrich to 3.67%. Iran made the step up to 60% in response to an explosion that damaged equipment at the larger, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Tehran has blamed Israel and named a man wanted in connection with the blast. "The Agency today verified that Iran had begun the production of UF6 enriched up to 60%... at the (above-ground) Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement. UF6 is uranium hexafluoride, the form in which uranium is fed into centrifuges for enrichment. A confidential IAEA report to member states provided more details. "According to Iran's declaration to the Agency, the enrichment level of the UF6 produced at PFEP was 55.3% U-235. The Agency took a sample of the produced UF6 for destructive analysis to independently verify the enrichment level declared by Iran. The results of this analysis will be reported by the Agency in due course," the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran has started enriching uranium to 60% purity, confirms IAEA 

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency&nbsp;(IAEA).

Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iran-unveils-new-city-of-missiles-370991/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet.

“In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock.

The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran.

The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement.

"The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said.

However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4. Watch: The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet. “In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying. Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock. The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran. The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement. "The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said. However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal. State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran enriching uranium at underground plant at Natanz, says UN watchdog IAEA

The building hope of nuclear deals revival, Iran has given encouraging signs about opening informal talks with world powers and United States.

Iran signals informal nuclear talks with IAEA's Technical, US supports meet

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reiterates-stance-says-us-must-first-lift-sanctions-before-talks-to-revive-2015-deal-365245"> Iran</a> ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to &nbsp;IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uns-nuclear-watchdog-chief-arrives-in-tehran-iran-365126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As part of its pressure campaign on the West, Tehran will go ahead with its plan to slash cooperation with the IAEA from 23 February.

The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has confirmed that the additional protocol is going to be suspended and the steps Iran would take this week would be "to a certain extent mitigated" by terms of a new temporary agreement. 
&nbsp; 
"There is less access, let's face it. There is less access but still we were able to retain the necessary degree of monitoring and verification work for what it is as it be defined as you will see, I repeat it again, as a temporary technical understanding," Rafael Grossi said.

The new understanding will however be kept under constant review and can be suspended at any time. Iran had agreed to implement the protocol under the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran's parliament passed a law in December demanding the country suspend some inspections if the US failed to lift sanctions. The law is due to go into effect on Tuesday.

"In the first place we reconfirmed that Iran continue to implement the comprehensive safeguard agreement without any limitation as they have been doing so far," Grossi added, ”in the second place, we agreed that in view of the law and in particular the provision that established limitations, we reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding whereby the agency is going to continue its necessary verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.”

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif helped negotiate the agreement. Zarif said the cameras of the international atomic energy agency would be shut off despite Grossi's visit. Zarif said this was to comply with a law passed by Iran's parliament.

"We will be required by law not to provide the tapes of those cameras to the IAEA, well that is a technical decision that's not a political decision. I am not making that decision. It is at the technical level but IAEA will certainly not get footage from those cameras," Zarif said.

The IAEA has additional protocols with a number of countries it monitors. Under the protocol with Iran, the IAEA will collect and analyze hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by its sophisticated surveillance cameras.&nbsp;

There are 18 nuclear facilities and nine other locations in Iran under IAEA safeguards.

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with Iran ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections.

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with Iran ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections. Watch: As part of its pressure campaign on the West, Tehran will go ahead with its plan to slash cooperation with the IAEA from 23 February. The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has confirmed that the additional protocol is going to be suspended and the steps Iran would take this week would be "to a certain extent mitigated" by terms of a new temporary agreement. "There is less access, let's face it. There is less access but still we were able to retain the necessary degree of monitoring and verification work for what it is as it be defined as you will see, I repeat it again, as a temporary technical understanding," Rafael Grossi said. The new understanding will however be kept under constant review and can be suspended at any time. Iran had agreed to implement the protocol under the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran's parliament passed a law in December demanding the country suspend some inspections if the US failed to lift sanctions. The law is due to go into effect on Tuesday. "In the first place we reconfirmed that Iran continue to implement the comprehensive safeguard agreement without any limitation as they have been doing so far," Grossi added, ”in the second place, we agreed that in view of the law and in particular the provision that established limitations, we reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding whereby the agency is going to continue its necessary verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.” Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif helped negotiate the agreement. Zarif said the cameras of the international atomic energy agency would be shut off despite Grossi's visit. Zarif said this was to comply with a law passed by Iran's parliament. "We will be required by law not to provide the tapes of those cameras to the IAEA, well that is a technical decision that's not a political decision. I am not making that decision. It is at the technical level but IAEA will certainly not get footage from those cameras," Zarif said. The IAEA has additional protocols with a number of countries it monitors. Under the protocol with Iran, the IAEA will collect and analyze hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by its sophisticated surveillance cameras. There are 18 nuclear facilities and nine other locations in Iran under IAEA safeguards.

Iran strikes 'temporary solution' with IAEA over nuclear inspection

The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency.

IAEA and Iran strike 'temporary deal' over nuclear inspections

Iran is planning to partially suspend the inspection by IAEA if the US doesn't waive off sanctions by Feb 23. This report brings more details

UN's nuclear watchdog chief arrives in Tehran, Iran

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

"All our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible...The move on February 23 is not abandoning the deal," Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran`s English Language Press TV.

Under a law enacted by hardline Iranian lawmakers last year, the government is obliged on February 23 to limit IAEA inspections to declared nuclear sites only, revoking its short-notice access to any location seen as relevant for information-gathering, if other parties did not fully comply with the deal.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-nuclear-watchdog-head-rafael-grossi-arrives-in-iran-ahead-of-us-sanctions-deadline-365182" hreflang="en">UN nuclear watchdog head, Rafael Grossi, arrives in Iran ahead of US sanctions deadline</a>

President Joe Biden`s administration said on Thursday it was ready to talk to Iran about both nations returning to the accord, which aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while lifting most international sanctions. Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

But Iran and the United States have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord. Iran insists the United States must first lift U.S. sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal.

Zarif reiterated Iran`s stance that Washington should take the first step by lifting all sanctions if it wants to revive the accord.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uns-nuclear-watchdog-chief-arrives-in-tehran-iran-365126">WATCH|</a>

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"The United States must return to the deal and lift all sanctions ... The United States is addicted to sanctions but they should know that Iran will not yield to pressure," he said. "We are not seeking nuclear weapons."

Zarif also said that "for all practical purposes" the Biden administration is pursuing the same policy of "maximum pressure" as Trump. 
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency who is in Tehran to discuss the agency`s "essential verification activities" met on Sunday with Iran´s atomic chief, state media reported.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said on Saturday that the agency`s concerns over Iran`s ending the implementation of the IAEA`s Additional Protocol - which entails snap inspections - will be discussed during his meeting with Grossi.

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday. "All our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible...The move on February 23 is not abandoning the deal," Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran`s English Language Press TV. Under a law enacted by hardline Iranian lawmakers last year, the government is obliged on February 23 to limit IAEA inspections to declared nuclear sites only, revoking its short-notice access to any location seen as relevant for information-gathering, if other parties did not fully comply with the deal. Also read| UN nuclear watchdog head, Rafael Grossi, arrives in Iran ahead of US sanctions deadline President Joe Biden`s administration said on Thursday it was ready to talk to Iran about both nations returning to the accord, which aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while lifting most international sanctions. Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. But Iran and the United States have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord. Iran insists the United States must first lift U.S. sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal. Zarif reiterated Iran`s stance that Washington should take the first step by lifting all sanctions if it wants to revive the accord. WATCH| "The United States must return to the deal and lift all sanctions ... The United States is addicted to sanctions but they should know that Iran will not yield to pressure," he said. "We are not seeking nuclear weapons." Zarif also said that "for all practical purposes" the Biden administration is pursuing the same policy of "maximum pressure" as Trump. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency who is in Tehran to discuss the agency`s "essential verification activities" met on Sunday with Iran´s atomic chief, state media reported. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said on Saturday that the agency`s concerns over Iran`s ending the implementation of the IAEA`s Additional Protocol - which entails snap inspections - will be discussed during his meeting with Grossi.

Iran's Zarif says ending IAEA snap inspections doesn't breach 2015 nuclear deal

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations.

"If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

"It does not mean ending all inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog...All these steps are reversible if the other party changes its path and honours its obligations," he said, alluding to the United States.

Biden administration has already indicated that US would re-enter the nuclear deal. Donald Trump had pulled US out of the deal.&nbsp;

Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its uranium enrichment programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

After Trump quit and reimposed sanctions, Iran began violating some limits in the deal. Washington and Tehran now disagree over how best to restore the accord, with both sides demanding the other side act first to return to compliance.

Despite Iran's public hard line that Washington must take the first step, several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that the mounting economic pain of U.S. sanctions may push Tehran to be flexible on terms for restoring the nuclear deal.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said last week Doha was in consultations to help salvage the deal, and Iranian state media said he would meet Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Monday.

"We welcome efforts by friendly countries like Qatar ... There have been consultations between Tehran and Doha at various levels," Khatibzadeh said.

The nuclear deal granted wide-ranging access to the International Atomic Energy Agency to gather information on Iran’s nuclear activities. But under a law enacted last year, Iran's government is obliged to revoke that access on Feb. 21 if other parties are not complying with the nuclear deal.

 
&nbsp;

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations. "If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb.

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations. "If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. "It does not mean ending all inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog...All these steps are reversible if the other party changes its path and honours its obligations," he said, alluding to the United States. Biden administration has already indicated that US would re-enter the nuclear deal. Donald Trump had pulled US out of the deal. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its uranium enrichment programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. After Trump quit and reimposed sanctions, Iran began violating some limits in the deal. Washington and Tehran now disagree over how best to restore the accord, with both sides demanding the other side act first to return to compliance. Despite Iran's public hard line that Washington must take the first step, several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that the mounting economic pain of U.S. sanctions may push Tehran to be flexible on terms for restoring the nuclear deal. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said last week Doha was in consultations to help salvage the deal, and Iranian state media said he would meet Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Monday. "We welcome efforts by friendly countries like Qatar ... There have been consultations between Tehran and Doha at various levels," Khatibzadeh said. The nuclear deal granted wide-ranging access to the International Atomic Energy Agency to gather information on Iran’s nuclear activities. But under a law enacted last year, Iran's government is obliged to revoke that access on Feb. 21 if other parties are not complying with the nuclear deal.

Iran threatens to block IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal. Uranium metal can be used to make the core of an atom bomb.

US under former President Barack Obama had brought Iran and other world powers on the negotiating table to strike the nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump withdrew US from the accord and as a result, Iran started breaching the provisions of the deal. This has accelerated these breaches in recent months.&nbsp;

Russia, one of the parties of the nuclear deal with Iran called for 'restraint' as news of Iran making Uranium metal broke.

"We understand the logic of their actions and the reasons prompting Iran. Despite this it is necessary to show restraint and a responsible approach," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA Novosti.

A law passed in response to the killing of its top nuclear scientist in November, which Tehran blames on its foe Israel, called for steps including opening a uranium metal plant. Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency in December it planned to produce uranium metal fuel for a research reactor.

"Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi today informed IAEA Member States about recent developments regarding Iran's R&amp;D activities on uranium metal production as part of its stated aim to produce fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor," the IAEA said in a statement.

Wednesday's report along with a previous one said that Iran planned to carry out research on uranium metal using natural uranium before moving on to uranium metal enriched to 20%, the level it is enriching uranium to now, short of the 90% that is weapons grade.

"The Agency on 8 February verified 3.6 gram of uranium metal at Iran's Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) in Esfahan," the IAEA statement added.

France, Britain and Germany, all parties to the deal, last month said they were "deeply concerned" and that Iran's uranium metal production had no civilian credibility but potentially serious military implications.

The 2015 deal's central aim was to extend the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb to at least a year from roughly 2-3 months. Iran, however, denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons and says it only wants to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003.

(With Reuters inputs)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal. Uranium metal can be used to make the core of an atom bomb. US under former President Barack Obama had brought Iran and other world powers on the negotiating table to strike the nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump withdrew US from the accord and as a result, Iran started breaching the provisions of the deal. This has accelerated these breaches in recent months. Russia, one of the parties of the nuclear deal with Iran called for 'restraint' as news of Iran making Uranium metal broke. "We understand the logic of their actions and the reasons prompting Iran. Despite this it is necessary to show restraint and a responsible approach," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA Novosti. A law passed in response to the killing of its top nuclear scientist in November, which Tehran blames on its foe Israel, called for steps including opening a uranium metal plant. Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency in December it planned to produce uranium metal fuel for a research reactor. "Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi today informed IAEA Member States about recent developments regarding Iran's R&D activities on uranium metal production as part of its stated aim to produce fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor," the IAEA said in a statement. Wednesday's report along with a previous one said that Iran planned to carry out research on uranium metal using natural uranium before moving on to uranium metal enriched to 20%, the level it is enriching uranium to now, short of the 90% that is weapons grade. "The Agency on 8 February verified 3.6 gram of uranium metal at Iran's Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) in Esfahan," the IAEA statement added. France, Britain and Germany, all parties to the deal, last month said they were "deeply concerned" and that Iran's uranium metal production had no civilian credibility but potentially serious military implications. The 2015 deal's central aim was to extend the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb to at least a year from roughly 2-3 months. Iran, however, denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons and says it only wants to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. (With Reuters inputs)

Iran produces Uranium metal, breaches nuclear deal even as Russia appeals for calm

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain. Iran has conveyed this to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This is the latest move on in several recent Iranian announcements to IAEA signifying that it is further breaching the nuclear deal. The violations started in 2019 in retaliation for USA's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and reimposition of sanctions against Tehran.

Iran's parliament passed a law last month which had mention of enrichment of uranium. The law was passed in response to the killing of Iran's top nuclear scientist

Such moves by Iran could complicate efforts by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal. 
"Iran has informed the Agency that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by the country`s parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20 per cent at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," the IAEA said in a statement.

An IAEA report to member states earlier on Friday obtained by Reuters used similar wording in describing a letter by Iran to the IAEA dated Dec. 31.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-beef-up-military-activity-in-gulf-ahead-of-soleimanis-first-death-anniversary-354027">US, Iran beef up military activity in Gulf ahead of Soleimani's first death anniversary</a>

"Iran`s letter to the Agency ... did not say when this enrichment activity would take place," the IAEA statement said.

The tension between Iran and US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-beef-up-military-activity-in-gulf-ahead-of-soleimanis-first-death-anniversary-354027">has increased</a> as the first anniversary of killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3, 2019, in US strike outside Baghdad airport.

(With Reuters inputs)

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain.

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain. Iran has conveyed this to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This is the latest move on in several recent Iranian announcements to IAEA signifying that it is further breaching the nuclear deal. The violations started in 2019 in retaliation for USA's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and reimposition of sanctions against Tehran. Iran's parliament passed a law last month which had mention of enrichment of uranium. The law was passed in response to the killing of Iran's top nuclear scientist Such moves by Iran could complicate efforts by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal. "Iran has informed the Agency that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by the country`s parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20 per cent at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," the IAEA said in a statement. An IAEA report to member states earlier on Friday obtained by Reuters used similar wording in describing a letter by Iran to the IAEA dated Dec. 31. Also Read | US, Iran beef up military activity in Gulf ahead of Soleimani's first death anniversary "Iran`s letter to the Agency ... did not say when this enrichment activity would take place," the IAEA statement said. The tension between Iran and US has increased as the first anniversary of killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3, 2019, in US strike outside Baghdad airport. (With Reuters inputs)

Iran plans to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent, conveys IAEA

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.

The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report obtained by Reuters said Iran plans to install three more cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges in the underground plant at Natanz, which was apparently built to withstand aerial bombardment.

Iran’s nuclear deal with major powers says Tehran can only use first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, which are less efficient, at the underground plant and that those are the only machines with which Iran may accumulate enriched uranium.

Iran recently moved one cascade of 174 IR-2m machines underground at Natanz and is enriching with it. It already planned to install two more cascades of other advanced models there, in addition to the 5,060 IR-1 machines that have been enriching for years in the plant built for more than 50,000.

“In a letter dated 2 December 2020, Iran informed the Agency that the operator of the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz ‘intends to start installation of three cascades of IR-2m centrifuge machines’ at FEP,” the IAEA’s report to its member states said.

Iran has breached many of the deal’s core restrictions on its nuclear activities in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement and his reimposition of crippling economic sanctions. Tehran says its breaches can quickly be reversed if Washington’s moves are undone.

Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said he will bring the United States back into the deal if Iran resumes full compliance with its nuclear restrictions. That raises the prospect of a standoff over who should move first.

<h3>FASTER ENRICHMENT</h3>

Iran transferred the already-operating cascade of IR-2ms underground from an above-ground plant at Natanz where only a handful of those machines remain, the IAEA has said. The extra cascades would therefore have to involve some of the hundreds of IR-2m machines removed and put into storage under the 2015 deal.

While the first cascade did not increase Iran’s production of enriched uranium because it was already enriching above ground, the extra cascades would.

The IAEA’s last quarterly report on Iran last month showed Tehran had stockpiled 12 times the 202.8 kg of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under the deal, more than 2.4 tonnes.

That is still a fraction of the more than eight tonnes it had before the landmark 2015 deal, and it has not enriched uranium to a purity of more than 4.5% since then. It achieved 20% before 2015, closer to the 90% of weapons-grade uranium.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003, the year its secret construction of Natanz was revealed by an opposition group in exile.

The deal is aimed at keeping Iran at arm’s length from being able to produce a nuclear bomb. It says it has never tried to.

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report obtained by Reuters said Iran plans to install three more cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges in the underground plant at Natanz, which was apparently built to withstand aerial bombardment. Iran’s nuclear deal with major powers says Tehran can only use first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, which are less efficient, at the underground plant and that those are the only machines with which Iran may accumulate enriched uranium. Iran recently moved one cascade of 174 IR-2m machines underground at Natanz and is enriching with it. It already planned to install two more cascades of other advanced models there, in addition to the 5,060 IR-1 machines that have been enriching for years in the plant built for more than 50,000. “In a letter dated 2 December 2020, Iran informed the Agency that the operator of the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz ‘intends to start installation of three cascades of IR-2m centrifuge machines’ at FEP,” the IAEA’s report to its member states said. Iran has breached many of the deal’s core restrictions on its nuclear activities in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement and his reimposition of crippling economic sanctions. Tehran says its breaches can quickly be reversed if Washington’s moves are undone. Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said he will bring the United States back into the deal if Iran resumes full compliance with its nuclear restrictions. That raises the prospect of a standoff over who should move first. FASTER ENRICHMENT Iran transferred the already-operating cascade of IR-2ms underground from an above-ground plant at Natanz where only a handful of those machines remain, the IAEA has said. The extra cascades would therefore have to involve some of the hundreds of IR-2m machines removed and put into storage under the 2015 deal. While the first cascade did not increase Iran’s production of enriched uranium because it was already enriching above ground, the extra cascades would. The IAEA’s last quarterly report on Iran last month showed Tehran had stockpiled 12 times the 202.8 kg of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under the deal, more than 2.4 tonnes. That is still a fraction of the more than eight tonnes it had before the landmark 2015 deal, and it has not enriched uranium to a purity of more than 4.5% since then. It achieved 20% before 2015, closer to the 90% of weapons-grade uranium. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003, the year its secret construction of Natanz was revealed by an opposition group in exile. The deal is aimed at keeping Iran at arm’s length from being able to produce a nuclear bomb. It says it has never tried to.

Iran tells IAEA it will accelerate underground uranium enrichment

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer.

The construction has begun at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show.

Natanz nuclear facility in Iran is largest uranium enrichment facility and it is about 250km (150 miles) south of the capital Tehran.

Earlier in August, Bloomberg published details of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, which concluded that Iran was attempting to boost uranium enrichment at the plant.

If believed to be true then this move would be in violation of a 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with several world powers.

“That road also goes into the mountains, so it may be the fact that they’re digging some kind of structure that’s going to be out in front and that there’s going to be a tunnel in the mountains,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the institute who studies Iran’s nuclear programme. “Or maybe that they’re just going to bury it there.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer.

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer. The construction has begun at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show. Natanz nuclear facility in Iran is largest uranium enrichment facility and it is about 250km (150 miles) south of the capital Tehran. Earlier in August, Bloomberg published details of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, which concluded that Iran was attempting to boost uranium enrichment at the plant. If believed to be true then this move would be in violation of a 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with several world powers. “That road also goes into the mountains, so it may be the fact that they’re digging some kind of structure that’s going to be out in front and that there’s going to be a tunnel in the mountains,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the institute who studies Iran’s nuclear programme. “Or maybe that they’re just going to bury it there.” (With inputs from agencies)

Satellite images of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility raise a concern

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-hails-united-resolve-to-preserve-nuclear-deal-against-us-324856">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran hails 'united resolve' to preserve nuclear deal against US</a>

The limit was set at 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds) of enriched uranium in a particular compound form, which is the equivalent of 202.8 kg of uranium.

Measured against the latter figure, Iran's stockpile now stands at over 2,105 kg, the report said.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran had granted its inspectors access to one of two sites where undeclared nuclear activity may have taken place in the early 2000s.

"Iran provided Agency inspectors access to the location to take environmental samples," an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report seen by AFP said.

"The samples will be analysed by laboratories that are part of the Agency's network," it added.

One diplomatic source told AFP the results of this analysis could take up to three months.

Tehran announced last week it would allow the IAEA access to the two sites, following a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

In a separate report also issued on Friday, the IAEA said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

The limit was set at 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds) of enriched uranium in a particular compound form, which is the equivalent of 202.8 kg of uranium.

Measured against the latter figure, Iran's stockpile now stands at over 2,105 kg, the report said.

Iran is also continuing to use more advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium than is permitted under the deal.

However, the level of enrichment has not gone above that which would be needed for use in a nuclear weapon.

- US trying to up pressure - 
The 2015 deal has been fraying ever since US President Donald Trump dramatically withdrew from it in May 2018 and re-imposed swingeing sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has responded by progressively exceeding limits on its nuclear activities set down in the deal.

In recent months the Trump administration has tried to increase pressure on Iran, but Washington suffered a humiliating defeat in August when it failed in its bid to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic republic.&nbsp;

At a meeting in Vienna earlier this week the remaining parties to the 2015 deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- said they remained committed to the deal and wanted to find a way to ensure its "full implementation despite current challenges".

The second IAEA report issued Friday also gave an update on another location in Tehran which had not been declared to the agency and where it found uranium particles last year.

The Agency has analysed samples from the site, the results of which were "not inconsistent" with information provided by Iran about the possible origin of the particles.

"However, the Agency has recently informed Iran that there are a number of other findings for which further clarifications and information need to be provided," the report says.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Also Read: Iran hails 'united resolve' to preserve nuclear deal against US The limit was set at 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds) of enriched uranium in a particular compound form, which is the equivalent of 202.8 kg of uranium. Measured against the latter figure, Iran's stockpile now stands at over 2,105 kg, the report said. The UN's nuclear watchdog said Friday that Iran had granted its inspectors access to one of two sites where undeclared nuclear activity may have taken place in the early 2000s. "Iran provided Agency inspectors access to the location to take environmental samples," an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report seen by AFP said. "The samples will be analysed by laboratories that are part of the Agency's network," it added. One diplomatic source told AFP the results of this analysis could take up to three months. Tehran announced last week it would allow the IAEA access to the two sites, following a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. In a separate report also issued on Friday, the IAEA said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The limit was set at 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds) of enriched uranium in a particular compound form, which is the equivalent of 202.8 kg of uranium. Measured against the latter figure, Iran's stockpile now stands at over 2,105 kg, the report said. Iran is also continuing to use more advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium than is permitted under the deal. However, the level of enrichment has not gone above that which would be needed for use in a nuclear weapon. - US trying to up pressure - The 2015 deal has been fraying ever since US President Donald Trump dramatically withdrew from it in May 2018 and re-imposed swingeing sanctions on Iran. Tehran has responded by progressively exceeding limits on its nuclear activities set down in the deal. In recent months the Trump administration has tried to increase pressure on Iran, but Washington suffered a humiliating defeat in August when it failed in its bid to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic republic. At a meeting in Vienna earlier this week the remaining parties to the 2015 deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- said they remained committed to the deal and wanted to find a way to ensure its "full implementation despite current challenges". The second IAEA report issued Friday also gave an update on another location in Tehran which had not been declared to the agency and where it found uranium particles last year. The Agency has analysed samples from the site, the results of which were "not inconsistent" with information provided by Iran about the possible origin of the particles. "However, the Agency has recently informed Iran that there are a number of other findings for which further clarifications and information need to be provided," the report says.

Iran's enriched uranium over ten times the limit set in 2015 nuclear deal: IAEA

Iran has agreed to allow inspectors in to two sites where the country is suspected of having stored or used undeclared nuclear material

UN Nuclear watchdog gets access to two sites in Iran

Iran said on Wednesday it was ending a months-long standoff with the U.N. nuclear watchdog by granting it access to two sites suspected of once hosting secret activities, easing diplomatic pressure on Tehran as Washington seeks to reimpose sanctions.

Wednesday`s breakthrough in the dispute over the sites was announced in a joint statement by Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency during IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi`s first visit to the Islamic Republic since he took over the role in December.

"Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA," Grossi and Iran`s nuclear agency chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said in a joint statement, confirming an earlier report by Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-hails-constructive-talks-with-visiting-iaea-chief-rafael-grossi-322966">Also read:&nbsp;Iran hails 'constructive' talks with visiting IAEA chief Rafael Grossi</a>

It said dates for IAEA inspectors to visit the sites - one near Karaj west of Tehran, the other near Isfahan in central Iran - had been agreed, without naming them, as well as the parameters of "verification activities" there.

In March Grossi informed his agency that Iran had denied IAEA inspectors access to the two sites, where uranium conversion and explosives testing are suspected of having been carried out in the early 2000s. Demolition and other work that might have removed traces of the past - "sanitization" in inspectors` parlance - appear to have since occurred there.

The IAEA had demanded access to the sites since January because they are suspected of having hosted nuclear material, which the agency must fully account for in order to verify that a country`s nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-chief-grossito-to-make-first-visit-to-iran-on-august-24-322398">Also read:&nbsp;IAEA chief Grossito to make first visit to Iran on August 24</a>

Under a 2015 deal with major powers, Iran is implementing the so-called Additional Protocol, an agreement with individual member states that grants the IAEA the power to carry out snap inspections, even of places not declared to be nuclear sites.

While the Vienna-based agency says it has the right to go to the sites without permission, Iran objected because at least some of the information pointing to the sites came from a trove of documents on its past activities that Tehran`s main Middle East adversary Israel says it seized in Iran.

US&nbsp;intelligence services and the IAEA believe Iran had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to develop atomic bombs.

'That's all for now'

Wednesday`s statement said that, at least for now, the IAEA does not want access to more undeclared sites. 
It is still, however, seeking answers on the origin and whereabouts of a uranium metal disc that may have been at a third site that it sees no point in going to because of "extensive sanitization and levelling" there in 2003 and 2004.

"In this present context, based on analysis of available information to the IAEA, the IAEA does not have any further questions to Iran and further requests for access to locations other than those declared by Tehran," the statement said.

While Wednesday`s deal must still be followed through on and will begin a process of taking samples and checking the origin of any nuclear particles that are found, it marks an initial victory for Grossi and his agency, whose 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution in June raising pressure on Iran.

It also comes as the United States, despite having pulled out of world powers` deal with Iran in 2018, is seeking to use a mechanism available to parties to the deal to trigger the reimposition of global U.N. sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the 2015 accord.

Wednesday`s agreement "will end the case (of the two sites)", Salehi told Iranian state TV, while reiterating that Iran will not accept any demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 accord.

Iran said on Wednesday it was ending a months-long standoff with the U.N. nuclear watchdog by granting it access to two sites suspected of once hosting secret activities, easing diplomatic pressure on Tehran as Washington seeks to reimpose sanctions.

Iran said on Wednesday it was ending a months-long standoff with the U.N. nuclear watchdog by granting it access to two sites suspected of once hosting secret activities, easing diplomatic pressure on Tehran as Washington seeks to reimpose sanctions. Wednesday`s breakthrough in the dispute over the sites was announced in a joint statement by Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency during IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi`s first visit to the Islamic Republic since he took over the role in December. "Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA," Grossi and Iran`s nuclear agency chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said in a joint statement, confirming an earlier report by Reuters. Also read: Iran hails 'constructive' talks with visiting IAEA chief Rafael Grossi It said dates for IAEA inspectors to visit the sites - one near Karaj west of Tehran, the other near Isfahan in central Iran - had been agreed, without naming them, as well as the parameters of "verification activities" there. In March Grossi informed his agency that Iran had denied IAEA inspectors access to the two sites, where uranium conversion and explosives testing are suspected of having been carried out in the early 2000s. Demolition and other work that might have removed traces of the past - "sanitization" in inspectors` parlance - appear to have since occurred there. The IAEA had demanded access to the sites since January because they are suspected of having hosted nuclear material, which the agency must fully account for in order to verify that a country`s nuclear activities are entirely peaceful. Also read: IAEA chief Grossito to make first visit to Iran on August 24 Under a 2015 deal with major powers, Iran is implementing the so-called Additional Protocol, an agreement with individual member states that grants the IAEA the power to carry out snap inspections, even of places not declared to be nuclear sites. While the Vienna-based agency says it has the right to go to the sites without permission, Iran objected because at least some of the information pointing to the sites came from a trove of documents on its past activities that Tehran`s main Middle East adversary Israel says it seized in Iran. US intelligence services and the IAEA believe Iran had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to develop atomic bombs. 'That's all for now' Wednesday`s statement said that, at least for now, the IAEA does not want access to more undeclared sites. It is still, however, seeking answers on the origin and whereabouts of a uranium metal disc that may have been at a third site that it sees no point in going to because of "extensive sanitization and levelling" there in 2003 and 2004. "In this present context, based on analysis of available information to the IAEA, the IAEA does not have any further questions to Iran and further requests for access to locations other than those declared by Tehran," the statement said. While Wednesday`s deal must still be followed through on and will begin a process of taking samples and checking the origin of any nuclear particles that are found, it marks an initial victory for Grossi and his agency, whose 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution in June raising pressure on Iran. It also comes as the United States, despite having pulled out of world powers` deal with Iran in 2018, is seeking to use a mechanism available to parties to the deal to trigger the reimposition of global U.N. sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the 2015 accord. Wednesday`s agreement "will end the case (of the two sites)", Salehi told Iranian state TV, while reiterating that Iran will not accept any demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 accord.

Iran relents on IAEA inspections at two sites, ending standoff

Iran's nuclear body said it held "constructive" talks on Tuesday with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency amid tensions over a US bid to reimpose UN sanctions.

"Today's talks were constructive," the head of Iran's atomic agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, said after meeting IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi.

"It was decided that the agency continue its work professionally and independently and Iran, too, act in the framework of its commitments," he said, quoted by state news agency IRNA.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-chief-grossito-to-make-first-visit-to-iran-on-august-24-322398">IAEA chief Grossito to make first visit to Iran on August 24</a>

The UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi arrived in the country on Monday&nbsp;as he seeked&nbsp;access for inspectors to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff between Tehran and the body.

Tehran said Grossi's visit would "strengthen ties and build trust" between Tehran and the IAEA. However, in a statement on Saturday, Grossi said he would address "the outstanding questions, in particular, the issue of the access".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/majority-of-un-security-council-members-oppose-us-push-for-iran-sanctions-322327">Majority of UN Security Council members oppose US push for Iran sanctions</a>

"As long as the IAEA moves based on impartiality, independence and distances itself from political pressure of another countries, there will be no problems between the IAEA and Tehran,"&nbsp;Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters, state TV reported.

A senior&nbsp;Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday that the IAEA wanted access and inspection of "two places", one near Tehran and the other near the central city of Isfahan.

Grossi's visit comes after Washington's last week pushed at the UN&nbsp;Security Council to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under&nbsp;Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

However,&nbsp;Iranian authorities said Grossi's visit was not related to the US&nbsp;move to return all sanctions on&nbsp;Iran, which other parties to the deal - Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, have not supported.

In 2018, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement and reimposed some sanctions that have crippled Tehran's economy.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has retaliated by reducing compliance with the pact's restrictions.

Khatibzadeh said Grossi would meet high-ranking&nbsp;Iranian officials during his visit, including the foreign minister and the country's nuclear chief.

Iran's nuclear body said it held "constructive" talks on Tuesday with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency amid tensions over a US bid to reimpose UN sanctions.

Iran's nuclear body said it held "constructive" talks on Tuesday with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency amid tensions over a US bid to reimpose UN sanctions. "Today's talks were constructive," the head of Iran's atomic agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, said after meeting IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi. "It was decided that the agency continue its work professionally and independently and Iran, too, act in the framework of its commitments," he said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. Also read: IAEA chief Grossito to make first visit to Iran on August 24 The UN nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi arrived in the country on Monday as he seeked access for inspectors to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff between Tehran and the body. Tehran said Grossi's visit would "strengthen ties and build trust" between Tehran and the IAEA. However, in a statement on Saturday, Grossi said he would address "the outstanding questions, in particular, the issue of the access". Also read: Majority of UN Security Council members oppose US push for Iran sanctions "As long as the IAEA moves based on impartiality, independence and distances itself from political pressure of another countries, there will be no problems between the IAEA and Tehran," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters, state TV reported. A senior Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday that the IAEA wanted access and inspection of "two places", one near Tehran and the other near the central city of Isfahan. Grossi's visit comes after Washington's last week pushed at the UN Security Council to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. However, Iranian authorities said Grossi's visit was not related to the US move to return all sanctions on Iran, which other parties to the deal - Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, have not supported. In 2018, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement and reimposed some sanctions that have crippled Tehran's economy. Iran has retaliated by reducing compliance with the pact's restrictions. Khatibzadeh said Grossi would meet high-ranking Iranian officials during his visit, including the foreign minister and the country's nuclear chief.

Iran hails 'constructive' talks with visiting IAEA chief Rafael Grossi

The UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi will make his first trip to Tehran in that role on Monday to pressure Iran to grant inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff, he said on Saturday.

It will be the first visit to Iran by Rafael Mariano Grossi since he took the helm of the International Atomic Energy Agency in December and comes as tensions between European nations and the US over relations with Iran have intensified in recent days.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution in June raising pressure on Iran to let inspectors into the sites mentioned in two quarterly IAEA reports because they could still host undeclared nuclear material or traces of it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/majority-of-un-security-council-members-oppose-us-push-for-iran-sanctions-322327" hreflang="en">Majority of UN Security Council members oppose US push for Iran sanctions</a>

"My objective is that my meetings in Tehran will lead to concrete progress in addressing the outstanding questions that the Agency has related to safeguards in Iran and, in particular, to resolve the issue of access," Grossi, who took over as IAEA director general in December, said in a statement.

The statement said Grossi would meet "high-level Iranian authorities", without specifying whom. Diplomats in Vienna have said they hope the standoff over access will be resolved before the next Board of Governors meeting in September.

"We hope this visit will lead to reinforced mutual cooperation," Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Kazem Gharibabadi, said, according to a statement posted by his mission on Twitter.

The visit comes amid tensions between the US and its European allies over Washington's bid to maintain an arms embargo on Iran and reimpose UN sanctions dating back to 2006.

The United States has accused Iran of breaching a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to stop Tehran developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump described it as the "worst deal ever" and quit in 2018.

The UN nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi will make his first trip to Tehran in that role on Monday to pressure Iran to grant inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff, he said on Saturday.

The UN nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi will make his first trip to Tehran in that role on Monday to pressure Iran to grant inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff, he said on Saturday. It will be the first visit to Iran by Rafael Mariano Grossi since he took the helm of the International Atomic Energy Agency in December and comes as tensions between European nations and the US over relations with Iran have intensified in recent days. The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution in June raising pressure on Iran to let inspectors into the sites mentioned in two quarterly IAEA reports because they could still host undeclared nuclear material or traces of it. Also read: Majority of UN Security Council members oppose US push for Iran sanctions "My objective is that my meetings in Tehran will lead to concrete progress in addressing the outstanding questions that the Agency has related to safeguards in Iran and, in particular, to resolve the issue of access," Grossi, who took over as IAEA director general in December, said in a statement. The statement said Grossi would meet "high-level Iranian authorities", without specifying whom. Diplomats in Vienna have said they hope the standoff over access will be resolved before the next Board of Governors meeting in September. "We hope this visit will lead to reinforced mutual cooperation," Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Kazem Gharibabadi, said, according to a statement posted by his mission on Twitter. The visit comes amid tensions between the US and its European allies over Washington's bid to maintain an arms embargo on Iran and reimpose UN sanctions dating back to 2006. The United States has accused Iran of breaching a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to stop Tehran developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump described it as the "worst deal ever" and quit in 2018.

IAEA chief Grossito to make first visit to Iran on August 24

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme.

The secret documents which reveal the extent of Iran's past nuclear research have drawn immense scrutiny.

The documents say that Iran was even planning to build a tunnel for a nuclear explosion. Tehran has been accused of stockpiling enriched uranium which is used in nuclear missiles.

Meanwhile, US has said that the world nations must hold Iran responsible for breaching its nuclear commitments.

While the US pulled out of Iran nuclear deal in 2018, EU, Russia and China still remain signatories to the deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme. The secret documents which reveal the extent of Iran's past nuclear research have drawn immense scrutiny. The documents say that Iran was even planning to build a tunnel for a nuclear explosion. Tehran has been accused of stockpiling enriched uranium which is used in nuclear missiles. Meanwhile, US has said that the world nations must hold Iran responsible for breaching its nuclear commitments. While the US pulled out of Iran nuclear deal in 2018, EU, Russia and China still remain signatories to the deal.

Secret documents reveal Iran hiding its nuclear activities, building a tunnel for a nuclear detonation

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-slams-iran-intimidation-of-iaea-inspector-as-outrageous-260911">Iran's</a> enriched uranium stockpile is more than five times the limit fixed under the 2015 nuclear deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deeply-concerned-over-irans-decision-to-deny-accreditation-to-iaea-inspector-eu-260590">Also Read: EU 'deeply concerned' over Iran's decision to deny accreditation to IAEA inspector</a>

The atomic agency said as of February 19, Iran's uranium stockpile stood at&nbsp;1,510 kilogrammes, as compared to 300 kg limit set under the 2015 agreement by world powers.

The UN watchdog said it was denied entry to at least two sites in January by Iranian authorities.

The agency in its report said it had "identified a number of questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities."

In November last year, the UN nuclear watchdog had urged Iran to explain the presence of uranium particles at an undeclared site.

Iran had rejected IAEA's report of traces of uranium found in unnamed sites.

Iran has openly breached several parts of the deal it signed with the US as well as Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, in which it committed to scaling back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

The IAEA had earlier flagged Iran's stock of heavy water for reactors had crossed the 130-tonne limit.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report said Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is more than five times the limit fixed under the 2015 nuclear deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report said Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is more than five times the limit fixed under the 2015 nuclear deal. Also Read: EU 'deeply concerned' over Iran's decision to deny accreditation to IAEA inspector The atomic agency said as of February 19, Iran's uranium stockpile stood at 1,510 kilogrammes, as compared to 300 kg limit set under the 2015 agreement by world powers. The UN watchdog said it was denied entry to at least two sites in January by Iranian authorities. The agency in its report said it had "identified a number of questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities." In November last year, the UN nuclear watchdog had urged Iran to explain the presence of uranium particles at an undeclared site. Iran had rejected IAEA's report of traces of uranium found in unnamed sites. Iran has openly breached several parts of the deal it signed with the US as well as Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, in which it committed to scaling back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The IAEA had earlier flagged Iran's stock of heavy water for reactors had crossed the 130-tonne limit.

Iran's enriched uranium stockpile over five times deal limit: IAEA

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