UN Atomic Watchdog: Iran Still in Violation of Nuclear Deal

August 30, 2019

Author: 

Kiyoko Metzler

Publication: 

Associated Press

A quarterly International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report sent to member states indicated that Iran remains in violation of certain limits outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and that its stockpile of low-enriched uranium is increasing. The report disclosed that Iran is continuing to enrich uranium to 4.5 percent - far from the level needed to build a nuclear weapon but enough to power its reactor at Bushehr - in violation of the JCPOA's 3.67 percent limit. The IAEA reported that Iran has continued to allow inspectors and has remained under the limit of 130 tons (143.3 U.S. tons) of heavy water with a current stockpile of 125.5 tons (138.34 U.S. tons). As of August 19, Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium is at 241.6 kg, well over the JCPOA limit of 202.8 kg. Within that uranium, 216.5 kg is enriched to 3.67 percent and 25.1 kg is enriched to 4.5 percent. As in its previous report, the IAEA said that Iran has installed up to 33 IR-6 centrifuges, a more advanced model, adding that it has tested 11 thus far.