Iranian Vice President Jafar Ghaempanah has said he would have halted uranium enrichment if he had known that the United States would kill Iran's Supreme Leader, according to remarks carried by Iranian state media. “If it were me, and I knew America would martyr our leader, I would have stopped enrichment,” Ghaempanah, executive vice president to President Masoud Pezeshkian, said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weapons-equipment-technical-and-tactical-iran-says-it-has-new-surprises-ready-if-another-war-breaks-out-1787911559031">‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out</a>&nbsp;His comments came while discussing the costs Iran could face in pursuing its nuclear programme and other objectives.&nbsp;Ghaempanah questioned why Iranian infrastructure and industries should be targeted in a conflict.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-near-great-below-average-trump-puts-himself-above-lincoln-washington-in-bizarre-ranking-of-greatest-us-presidents-1787903513307">‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents</a>&nbsp;“Why should they hit our industries and our roads? Why should they hit our refineries and electricity?” he said, adding that attacks on electricity infrastructure and refineries could increase unemployment.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-don-t-need-canada-they-need-us-trump-announces-50-tariffs-on-imported-cars-trucks-from-canada-starting-jan-2027-1787583181567">‘WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US’: Trump announces 50% tariffs on imported cars, trucks from Canada starting Jan 2027</a>&nbsp;He said Iran should avoid paying excessive costs for objectives that could be achieved at a lower price.&nbsp;“What cost could be higher than the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader?” Ghaempanah said.&nbsp;“We are not all supposed to become martyrs. Iran is supposed to remain,” he added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-human-rights-emergency-jemima-goldsmith-urges-uk-pm-andy-burnham-to-intervene-over-ex-husband-imran-khan-s-prison-treatment-1787568862766">'A human-rights emergency': Jemima Goldsmith urges UK PM Andy Burnham to intervene over ex-husband Imran Khan’s prison treatment</a>&nbsp;

Iranian VP Jafar Ghaempanah stated he would have halted uranium enrichment to prevent the US from killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, emphasising that Iran must avoid paying high costs for its objectives.

Iranian Vice President Jafar Ghaempanah has said he would have halted uranium enrichment if he had known that the United States would kill Iran's Supreme Leader, according to remarks carried by Iranian state media. “If it were me, and I knew America would martyr our leader, I would have stopped enrichment,” Ghaempanah, executive vice president to President Masoud Pezeshkian, said. Also read: ‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out His comments came while discussing the costs Iran could face in pursuing its nuclear programme and other objectives. Ghaempanah questioned why Iranian infrastructure and industries should be targeted in a conflict. Also read: ‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents “Why should they hit our industries and our roads? Why should they hit our refineries and electricity?” he said, adding that attacks on electricity infrastructure and refineries could increase unemployment. Also read: ‘WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US’: Trump announces 50% tariffs on imported cars, trucks from Canada starting Jan 2027 He said Iran should avoid paying excessive costs for objectives that could be achieved at a lower price. “What cost could be higher than the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader?” Ghaempanah said. “We are not all supposed to become martyrs. Iran is supposed to remain,” he added. Also read: 'A human-rights emergency': Jemima Goldsmith urges UK PM Andy Burnham to intervene over ex-husband Imran Khan’s prison treatment

Iranian VP Jafar Ghaempanah stated he would have halted uranium enrichment to prevent the US from killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, emphasising that Iran must avoid paying high costs for its objectives.

Iran VP says he would have stopped enrichment if he knew US would kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran would agree to extensive weapons inspections as part of efforts to ensure what he called “nuclear honesty” in the years ahead.&nbsp;“Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have Major Weapons Inspections to ensure ‘Nuclear Honesty’ long into the future,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.&nbsp;His remarks came shortly after Vice President JD Vance said talks between US and Iranian officials in Burgenstock, Switzerland, had created a "very good foundation" for a final agreement. Vance also stated that Tehran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return.&nbsp;On June 14, Iran and the United States announced a 14-point understanding reached through Pakistani mediation. The arrangement was aimed at ending the four-month conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and establishing a framework for future nuclear negotiations.&nbsp;The memorandum officially took effect on June 18 after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump signed it electronically.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vance-says-iran-has-agreed-to-resume-iaea-nuclear-inspections-probably-by-this-week-1782143460029">Vance says Iran has agreed to resume IAEA nuclear inspections, probably by ‘this week’</a><h2>Iran rejects US claims on inspections</h2>However, Iran pushed back against the US claims, saying no new commitments were made during the latest discussions in Switzerland.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that Tehran had not negotiated its nuclear programme and had not accepted any additional obligations during the talks.&nbsp;Baghaei said cooperation with the IAEA would continue “under the current procedures.” He added that Iran's engagement with the agency would proceed “in accordance with Iran’s obligations under safeguard agreements” and “in line with resolutions passed by Parliament and decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.”&nbsp;Iran's parliament passed a law last summer that limited cooperation with the IAEA and suspended inspections. According to IRNA, however, cooperation was never fully halted. The report said the law still allows inspectors to visit “active nuclear sites,” including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, on a “case-by-case basis.”&nbsp;IRNA further reported that access to damaged nuclear facilities and any arrangements involving Iran's enriched uranium stockpile would depend on a separate mechanism to be agreed as part of a final deal following the 60-day negotiation period outlined in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Trump's remarks followed Vice President JD Vance's claim that talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid the groundwork for a final agreement, including Tehran's reported acceptance of IAEA inspectors.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran would agree to extensive weapons inspections as part of efforts to ensure what he called “nuclear honesty” in the years ahead. “Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have Major Weapons Inspections to ensure ‘Nuclear Honesty’ long into the future,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. His remarks came shortly after Vice President JD Vance said talks between US and Iranian officials in Burgenstock, Switzerland, had created a "very good foundation" for a final agreement. Vance also stated that Tehran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return. On June 14, Iran and the United States announced a 14-point understanding reached through Pakistani mediation. The arrangement was aimed at ending the four-month conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and establishing a framework for future nuclear negotiations. The memorandum officially took effect on June 18 after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump signed it electronically. Also Read: Vance says Iran has agreed to resume IAEA nuclear inspections, probably by ‘this week’ Iran rejects US claims on inspections However, Iran pushed back against the US claims, saying no new commitments were made during the latest discussions in Switzerland. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that Tehran had not negotiated its nuclear programme and had not accepted any additional obligations during the talks. Baghaei said cooperation with the IAEA would continue “under the current procedures.” He added that Iran's engagement with the agency would proceed “in accordance with Iran’s obligations under safeguard agreements” and “in line with resolutions passed by Parliament and decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.” Iran's parliament passed a law last summer that limited cooperation with the IAEA and suspended inspections. According to IRNA, however, cooperation was never fully halted. The report said the law still allows inspectors to visit “active nuclear sites,” including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, on a “case-by-case basis.” IRNA further reported that access to damaged nuclear facilities and any arrangements involving Iran's enriched uranium stockpile would depend on a separate mechanism to be agreed as part of a final deal following the 60-day negotiation period outlined in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Trump's remarks followed Vice President JD Vance's claim that talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid the groundwork for a final agreement, including Tehran's reported acceptance of IAEA inspectors.

Trump claims Iran will accept inspections to ensure 'nuclear honesty'; Tehran pushes back

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday (June 21) that Tehran is prepared to provide written assurances that it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but will not give up what it considers its right to enrich uranium, as negotiations with the US continue. Speaking ahead of a new round of talks between Iranian and US negotiators in Switzerland, Pezeshkian said Iran's position on uranium enrichment remained unchanged despite the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two countries.&nbsp;"What the United States demands is that Iran not build an atomic bomb. This is nothing new, and we can also state in writing that we have no intention of building a bomb," Pezeshkian said, according to remarks published on the Iranian president's official website. However, he stressed that Tehran would not abandon its enrichment programme.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/she-wants-to-be-friends-again-in-order-to-get-her-numbers-up-trump-escalates-tensions-with-meloni-1781969131299">'She wants to be friends again in order to get her numbers up': Trump escalates tensions with Meloni</a>&nbsp;"We will not relinquish our right to enrichment, and the other side will have no choice but to accept this right," he said. Pezeshkian also defended the preliminary agreement reached between Tehran and Washington, arguing that its provisions were favourable to Iran and that the benefits of the negotiations would become clearer over time.&nbsp;According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the president said the memorandum of understanding contained provisions that would benefit Tehran, including the return of Iranian funds currently held abroad. "All provisions of the memorandum of understanding are in our favour, and the achievements of these talks and negotiations will become evident," he said.&nbsp;Pezeshkian added that $6 billion in Iranian funds currently held in Qatar would be returned under the agreement. "Our $6bn in Qatar will be returned," he said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/got-away-with-murder-for-47-years-trump-hits-at-iran-calls-it-world-s-number-one-sponsor-of-terror-1781956806079">‘Got away with murder’ for 47 years, Trump hits out at Iran, calls it ‘world’s number one sponsor of terror’</a>

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered written guarantees that Iran will not build nuclear weapons, provided it retains its right to enrich uranium, as negotiations with the US progress in Switzerland.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday (June 21) that Tehran is prepared to provide written assurances that it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but will not give up what it considers its right to enrich uranium, as negotiations with the US continue. Speaking ahead of a new round of talks between Iranian and US negotiators in Switzerland, Pezeshkian said Iran's position on uranium enrichment remained unchanged despite the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two countries. "What the United States demands is that Iran not build an atomic bomb. This is nothing new, and we can also state in writing that we have no intention of building a bomb," Pezeshkian said, according to remarks published on the Iranian president's official website. However, he stressed that Tehran would not abandon its enrichment programme. Also read: 'She wants to be friends again in order to get her numbers up': Trump escalates tensions with Meloni "We will not relinquish our right to enrichment, and the other side will have no choice but to accept this right," he said. Pezeshkian also defended the preliminary agreement reached between Tehran and Washington, arguing that its provisions were favourable to Iran and that the benefits of the negotiations would become clearer over time. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the president said the memorandum of understanding contained provisions that would benefit Tehran, including the return of Iranian funds currently held abroad. "All provisions of the memorandum of understanding are in our favour, and the achievements of these talks and negotiations will become evident," he said. Pezeshkian added that $6 billion in Iranian funds currently held in Qatar would be returned under the agreement. "Our $6bn in Qatar will be returned," he said. Also read: ‘Got away with murder’ for 47 years, Trump hits out at Iran, calls it ‘world’s number one sponsor of terror’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered written guarantees that Iran will not build nuclear weapons, provided it retains its right to enrich uranium, as negotiations with the US progress in Switzerland.

‘We have no intention of building a bomb’: Pezeshkian says ready to guarantee no nuke weapons. But there’s a condition

Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami on Thursday (Feb 19) said that no nation can deprive Tehran of its right to nuclear enrichment. His remarks come after US President Donald Trump once again threatened the Islamic Republic with military action following indirect nuclear talks in Geneva.“The basis of the nuclear industry is enrichment. Whatever you want to do in the nuclear process, you need nuclear fuel,” said Eslami, in a video published by Etemad daily. “Iran’s nuclear programme is proceeding according to the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and no country can deprive Iran of the right to peacefully benefit from this technology.”The remarks come after a second round of negotiations mediated by Oman was held between Iran and the United States in Geneva on Tuesday (Feb 17). The talks followed an initial round of discussions held in Oman on February 6 after talks collapsed when Israel launched strikes on Iran. The US also joined the brief military escalation targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities.On Wednesday (Feb 18), Trump warned the British against giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, saying that the Diego Garcia airbase might be needed to “eradicate a potential attack” by Iran.“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime — An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.Meanwhile, CNN reported that amid the US military build-up in the Middle East, the White House has been briefed that the American forces could be ready for an attack by the weekend, but Trump has yet to make a final decision to authorise such military action on Iran.&nbsp;

Iran’s atomic chief Mohammad Eslami said Tehran cannot be denied its right to nuclear enrichment amid renewed US threats. Trump warned of possible military action as tensions escalate.

Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami on Thursday (Feb 19) said that no nation can deprive Tehran of its right to nuclear enrichment. His remarks come after US President Donald Trump once again threatened the Islamic Republic with military action following indirect nuclear talks in Geneva. “The basis of the nuclear industry is enrichment. Whatever you want to do in the nuclear process, you need nuclear fuel,” said Eslami, in a video published by Etemad daily. “Iran’s nuclear programme is proceeding according to the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and no country can deprive Iran of the right to peacefully benefit from this technology.” The remarks come after a second round of negotiations mediated by Oman was held between Iran and the United States in Geneva on Tuesday (Feb 17). The talks followed an initial round of discussions held in Oman on February 6 after talks collapsed when Israel launched strikes on Iran. The US also joined the brief military escalation targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities. On Wednesday (Feb 18), Trump warned the British against giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, saying that the Diego Garcia airbase might be needed to “eradicate a potential attack” by Iran. “Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime — An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Meanwhile, CNN reported that amid the US military build-up in the Middle East, the White House has been briefed that the American forces could be ready for an attack by the weekend, but Trump has yet to make a final decision to authorise such military action on Iran.

Iran’s atomic chief Mohammad Eslami said Tehran cannot be denied its right to nuclear enrichment amid renewed US threats. Trump warned of possible military action as tensions escalate.

‘No country can deprive Iran’: Tehran’s atomic energy chief reiterates nuclear enrichment rights amid tensions with US

The United States has claimed that Iran has enough fissile material to develop nuclear weapons within two weeks.

The US Department of Defence in its ‘2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction’ report said that Iran has the necessary infrastructure and technological know-how to produce weapons in a record time. The report was published on Friday (Sep 29).

&nbsp;“It is assessed that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons programme at this time, but has the capacity to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear device in less than two weeks,” the report, which outlines Washington’s strategic approach to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction globally, said.

&nbsp;“Further, the United States assesses Iran to be noncompliant with its CWC [Chemical Weapons Convention] obligations,” it added.

“For example, Iran has not submitted a complete chemical weapons production facility declaration to comply with CWC processes. The United States is also concerned that Iran is pursuing dual-use central nervous system-acting chemicals for offensive purposes.”

<h2>'Iran flouting CWC regulations'</h2>

The US in its report further blamed Iran for not adhering to the obligations made under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

“For example, Iran has not submitted a complete chemical weapons production facility declaration” as required under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the report stated.

“The US is also concerned that Iran is pursuing dual-use central nervous system acting chemicals of offensive purposes,” the report added.

It comes at a time when the United Nations Security Council 2231 is about to expire this month. It had prohibited Iran from developing long-range missile capacity connected to&nbsp;nuclear weapons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-warns-sweden-to-take-concrete-steps-against-terrorism-to-garner-support-for-nato-bid-641772">Turkey warns Sweden to take 'concrete steps' against terrorism to garner support for NATO bid</a>

<h2>Can West continue its sanctions on Iran?</h2>

On Thursday (Sep 28), Britain, France and Germany said that they would retain ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;even after the resolution expires.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-walk-away-biden-pledges-support-to-ukraine-after-congress-pauses-war-time-aid-641627">'We will not walk away': Biden pledges support to Ukraine after Congress pauses war-time aid</a>

Last month, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi had warned if Iran enriches uranium above 60 per cent, Jerusalem would take a stern action.

“If Iran moves to enrich uranium above 60% and we identify it—and there is no possibility that we won’t, that the world would not recognize it—the result is that Israel would act out of necessity,” he said, adding, “There would be no choice.”

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The United States has claimed that Iran has enough fissile material to develop nuclear weapons within two weeks. The US Department of Defence in its ‘2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction’ report said that Iran has the necessary infrastructure and technological know-how to produce weapons in a record time.

The United States has claimed that Iran has enough fissile material to develop nuclear weapons within two weeks. The US Department of Defence in its ‘2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction’ report said that Iran has the necessary infrastructure and technological know-how to produce weapons in a record time. The report was published on Friday (Sep 29). “It is assessed that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons programme at this time, but has the capacity to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear device in less than two weeks,” the report, which outlines Washington’s strategic approach to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction globally, said. “Further, the United States assesses Iran to be noncompliant with its CWC [Chemical Weapons Convention] obligations,” it added. “For example, Iran has not submitted a complete chemical weapons production facility declaration to comply with CWC processes. The United States is also concerned that Iran is pursuing dual-use central nervous system-acting chemicals for offensive purposes.” 'Iran flouting CWC regulations' The US in its report further blamed Iran for not adhering to the obligations made under the Chemical Weapons Convention. “For example, Iran has not submitted a complete chemical weapons production facility declaration” as required under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the report stated. “The US is also concerned that Iran is pursuing dual-use central nervous system acting chemicals of offensive purposes,” the report added. It comes at a time when the United Nations Security Council 2231 is about to expire this month. It had prohibited Iran from developing long-range missile capacity connected to nuclear weapons. Also read | Turkey warns Sweden to take 'concrete steps' against terrorism to garner support for NATO bid Can West continue its sanctions on Iran? On Thursday (Sep 28), Britain, France and Germany said that they would retain ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran even after the resolution expires. Also read | 'We will not walk away': Biden pledges support to Ukraine after Congress pauses war-time aid Last month, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi had warned if Iran enriches uranium above 60 per cent, Jerusalem would take a stern action. “If Iran moves to enrich uranium above 60% and we identify it—and there is no possibility that we won’t, that the world would not recognize it—the result is that Israel would act out of necessity,” he said, adding, “There would be no choice.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iran has capacity to make nuclear weapons in two weeks, US warns in new report

Iran is rapidly expanding its ability to enrich uranium with advanced centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz and now intends to go further than previously planned, a confidential UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog report seen by Reuters showed on Monday.

While indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have stalled, Tehran has brought onstream an ever larger number of advanced centrifuges the deal bans it from using to produce enriched uranium.

These machines are far more efficient than the first-generation IR-1, the only centrifuge that the deal lets Iran use to grow its stock of enriched uranium. Iran has been adding them, particularly at two underground sites at Natanz and Fordow that may be designed to withstand potential aerial bombardment.

Watch |&nbsp;IAEA report: Iran racing to expand Uranium enrichment at underground plant

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The third of three cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-6 centrifuges recently installed at the underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz has now come onstream, said the International Atomic Energy Agency report to member states. Diplomats say the IR-6 is Iran's most advanced centrifuge.

Iran has also quickly completed the installation of seven cascades that were either not finished or at a very early stage of installation on Aug. 31, Monday's ad hoc report showed. End-August marked the last visit by inspectors mentioned in the IAEA's most recent quarterly report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-nkorea-ramps-up-missile-tests-south-korean-president-says-it-has-nothing-to-gain-from-nuclear-weapons-524275" hreflang="en">As N Korea ramps up missile tests, South Korean president says it has 'nothing to gain from nuclear weapons'</a>

Those seven cascades, one of IR-4 centrifuges and six of IR-2m machines, were fully installed but not yet enriching, Monday's report said.

Iran has also informed the IAEA it plans to add an extra three cascades of IR-2m machines at the FEP, on top of the 12 already announced and now installed, the report showed.

Of those three extra IR-2m cascades, the installation has already started on two of them, the report said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-deal-will-not-get-any-better-warns-france-517830">Iran nuclear deal will not get any better, warns France&nbsp;</a>

The report also showed that all the centrifuges enriching at Natanz were still producing uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas enriched to up to 5 per cent&nbsp;but now they were being fed with natural UF6. That contrasted to the quarterly report issued in September that said on Aug. 31 the centrifuges were being fed with UF6 enriched to up to 2 per cent. It did not explain the change.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran deal and re-imposed sanctions against Iran that the deal had lifted. Iran responded by breaching the restrictions on its nuclear activities imposed by the deal.

If the deal is revived Iran will have to put its advanced centrifuges into storage, diplomats say.

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Iran is rapidly expanding its ability to enrich uranium with advanced centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz and now intends to go further than previously planned, a confidential UN nuclear watchdog report seen by Reuters showed on Monday.

Iran is rapidly expanding its ability to enrich uranium with advanced centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz and now intends to go further than previously planned, a confidential UN nuclear watchdog report seen by Reuters showed on Monday. While indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have stalled, Tehran has brought onstream an ever larger number of advanced centrifuges the deal bans it from using to produce enriched uranium. These machines are far more efficient than the first-generation IR-1, the only centrifuge that the deal lets Iran use to grow its stock of enriched uranium. Iran has been adding them, particularly at two underground sites at Natanz and Fordow that may be designed to withstand potential aerial bombardment. Watch | IAEA report: Iran racing to expand Uranium enrichment at underground plant The third of three cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-6 centrifuges recently installed at the underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz has now come onstream, said the International Atomic Energy Agency report to member states. Diplomats say the IR-6 is Iran's most advanced centrifuge. Iran has also quickly completed the installation of seven cascades that were either not finished or at a very early stage of installation on Aug. 31, Monday's ad hoc report showed. End-August marked the last visit by inspectors mentioned in the IAEA's most recent quarterly report. Also read | As N Korea ramps up missile tests, South Korean president says it has 'nothing to gain from nuclear weapons' Those seven cascades, one of IR-4 centrifuges and six of IR-2m machines, were fully installed but not yet enriching, Monday's report said. Iran has also informed the IAEA it plans to add an extra three cascades of IR-2m machines at the FEP, on top of the 12 already announced and now installed, the report showed. Of those three extra IR-2m cascades, the installation has already started on two of them, the report said. Also read | Iran nuclear deal will not get any better, warns France The report also showed that all the centrifuges enriching at Natanz were still producing uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas enriched to up to 5 per cent but now they were being fed with natural UF6. That contrasted to the quarterly report issued in September that said on Aug. 31 the centrifuges were being fed with UF6 enriched to up to 2 per cent. It did not explain the change. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran deal and re-imposed sanctions against Iran that the deal had lifted. Iran responded by breaching the restrictions on its nuclear activities imposed by the deal. If the deal is revived Iran will have to put its advanced centrifuges into storage, diplomats say. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran using 'advanced machines' to further expand its nuclear enrichment capabilities: IAEA report