This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/06/iran-to-enrich-uranium-in-further-breach-of-nuclear-deal

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iran will enrich uranium in a further breach of the nuclear deal Iran will enrich uranium in a further breach of the nuclear deal
(32 minutes later)
Iran is about to break the terms of its nuclear deal for a second time by announcing plans to enrich uranium beyond the levels allowed under the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal.Iran is about to break the terms of its nuclear deal for a second time by announcing plans to enrich uranium beyond the levels allowed under the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal.
In an escalation of the dispute over US sanctions, the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi was expected to announce on Sunday that Iran will produce uranium at 5% enrichment, above the cap of 3.67%, according to local reports.In an escalation of the dispute over US sanctions, the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi was expected to announce on Sunday that Iran will produce uranium at 5% enrichment, above the cap of 3.67%, according to local reports.
Iran revealed its first breach of the deal last week, announcing that it had begun stockpiling low-enriched uranium beyond the 300kg limit allowed, a year after the US president Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions.Iran revealed its first breach of the deal last week, announcing that it had begun stockpiling low-enriched uranium beyond the 300kg limit allowed, a year after the US president Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions.
“The main announcement will be the increase of the level of enrichment to 5% from 3.67% that we agreed under the deal,” an Iranian official told Reuters.“The main announcement will be the increase of the level of enrichment to 5% from 3.67% that we agreed under the deal,” an Iranian official told Reuters.
French president Emmanuel Macron told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his “strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement” and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.
In a telephone conversation, Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the “necessary de-escalation” of the situation, the Élysée palace added.
The deal was aimed at making it harder for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. At one stage Iran had more than 10,000kg of uranium, with some of it enriched to 20%. A nuclear bomb requires uranium at 90% enrichment.The deal was aimed at making it harder for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. At one stage Iran had more than 10,000kg of uranium, with some of it enriched to 20%. A nuclear bomb requires uranium at 90% enrichment.
Iran has tried to put pressure on the European signatories to the deal to combat US sanctions, which it says are a form of “economic warfare”. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran for months to keep to its commitments to the deal, but Tehran has complained they are not doing enough.Iran has tried to put pressure on the European signatories to the deal to combat US sanctions, which it says are a form of “economic warfare”. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran for months to keep to its commitments to the deal, but Tehran has complained they are not doing enough.
Sanctions are having a serious effect on the Iranian economy and Iran’s chief demand is that the country be permitted to export crude oil at the same levels as before the US reimposed sanctions. Exports have fallen to about 300,000 barrels per day, compared with the 2.5 million barrels Iran was selling in April 2018.Sanctions are having a serious effect on the Iranian economy and Iran’s chief demand is that the country be permitted to export crude oil at the same levels as before the US reimposed sanctions. Exports have fallen to about 300,000 barrels per day, compared with the 2.5 million barrels Iran was selling in April 2018.
Ali Akbar Velayati, who is the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser on international affairs, said Iranian officials were unanimous in their decision to raise the level of uranium enrichment.Ali Akbar Velayati, who is the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser on international affairs, said Iranian officials were unanimous in their decision to raise the level of uranium enrichment.
“We need uranium enriched to 5% for use in the Bushehr [power plant] and this is a completely peaceful purpose,” Velayati said.“We need uranium enriched to 5% for use in the Bushehr [power plant] and this is a completely peaceful purpose,” Velayati said.
The US has been building up its military presence in the Middle East, sending an aircraft carrier, thousands of troops and B-52 bombers. Last month a Japanese oil tanker was attacked near the strait of Hormuz, and Iran shot down a US military drone.The US has been building up its military presence in the Middle East, sending an aircraft carrier, thousands of troops and B-52 bombers. Last month a Japanese oil tanker was attacked near the strait of Hormuz, and Iran shot down a US military drone.
Iran nuclear dealIran nuclear deal
The ObserverThe Observer
IranIran
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content