The UN atomic watchdog has confirmed that Iran’s partial nuclear freeze, part of a landmark deal with world powers struck in November, began on Monday as planned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report passed to member states that Iran “has ceased enriching uranium above five per cent” fissile purities at the Natanz and Fordo facilities.
The report, seen by AFP, said that Iran was also converting its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, a particular concern to the international community since it can be relatively easily be further purified to
weapons-grade.
It added that Iran “is not conducting any further advances to its activities” at Natanz, Fordo or the heavy-water reactor under construction at Arak, which could in theory provide Iran with weapons-grade plutonium.
In addition, Iran “is continuing to construct” a plant for the conversion of low-enriched uranium needed to ensure that its reserve of this material does not grow during the next half-year, the IAEA report said.