Iran will break its uranium stockpile limit in next 10 days: state media
In a showpiece event at the Arak heavy water facility in Markazi province, Bahrouz Kamalvendi said Iran has quadrupled uranium production. By June 27, it will have surpassed the 300 kg limit imposed on its stockpile by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he said, according to IRNA.
“The production of uranium has increased fourfold,” Kamalvendi said. “From today for the duration of 10 days until June 27 we will pass the threshold of 300 kg.”
The spokesman said Iran needs to boost enrichment from the 3.67 percent level set by the deal to 5 percent in order to power its nuclear plant in Bushehr and to 20 percent for a Tehran research reactor, AP reports.
Raising enrichment to 20 percent would bring Iran’s uranium just a step away from weapons-grade.
Kamalvendi also said Iran’s stockpile of heavy water could pass the 130-tonne threshold within the next two to three months if it is unable to sell its surplus.
However, Iran will soon consume all of its heavy water for domestic purposes, he added.
Monday's announcement will further raise tensions between the US and Iran.
Iran has already scaled back on some of its commitments to the landmark accord in response to the US withdrawal from the deal and the reintroduction of economic sanctions.
In mid-May, Iran announced it would scrap two of its commitments dealing with the shipment of enriched uranium and heavy water.
US President Donald Trump ended two critical waivers in early May that allowed Iran to ship enriched uranium in excess of 300kg and send surplus heavy water exceeding 130 metric tonnes to Oman.
Pressuring the JCPOA’s remaining European signatories to act in defense of the accord, Iran said it would continue producing low enriched uranium and heavy water in excess of the amount permitted under the deal.
On May 20, the AEOI announced plans to quadruple its production capacity of enriched uranium to 3.67 percent – within the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal and well below the quality needed to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump pulled out of the Obama-era deal in May 2018 arguing it did not go far enough to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Washington then imposed crippling sanctions on Iran’s economy, particularly its lucrative oil sector. Threatened by sanctions, Iran oil customers were forced to shop elsewhere.
By isolating Iran and draining its revenues, the US hopes to reign in the regime’s “malign influence” across the Middle East.
Tensions have been steadily building between the US and Iran in recent months. Washington has sent an aircraft carrier group, B-52 bombers, and hundreds of troops to the region in response to unspecified Iranian threats.
The crisis escalated further on Thursday when two tankers in the Gulf of Oman caught fire.
Japan, China, the UK, and the European Union (EU) have urged restraint following the incident, which forced the crews of the Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous to abandon ship.
Although the cause remains unclear, the US and its Gulf allies have accused Iran and its proxies of attacking the vessels – allegations strenuously denied by Tehran.