Iran enriching uranium with third cascade of advanced IR-2M centrifuges: IAEA

Iran enriching uranium with third cascade of advanced IR-2M centrifuges: IAEA

VIENNA: Iran has started enriching uranium with a third set of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz, the U. N. nuclear watchdog told its member states on Monday, a further breach of Tehran's 2015 deal with major powers. The move is part of a recent acceleration by Iran of its violations of restrictions under that deal, which granted Iran relief from financial sanctions in return for curbs to its nuclear activities. It began breaching limits after then-U. S. President Donald Trump quit the deal and re-imposed sanctions in 2018. The acceleration of breaches appears aimed at raising pressure on Trump's successor Joe Biden. The new U. S. president wants to revive the accord, but Washington and Tehran are locked in a standoff over which side should move first. The deal allows Iran to enrich uranium only with first-generation IR-1 centrifuges at the underground, commercial scale Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz. In November Iran started enriching there with a first set of IR-2m machines, which are far more efficient, and has since been adding to it. "The fourth cascade of 174 IR-2m centrifuges was installed but had yet to be fed with natural UF6; installation of a