Iran has accepted increased monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of activities at its underground uranium enrichment site at Fordow, Reuters reported, citing a report by The agency, quoted by News.bg.
The decision comes after the IAEA announced last week that Iran had increased the rate of uranium enrichment to 60 percent purity at Fordow, a level just shy of what is needed for a nuclear weapon. Western countries described this move as a serious escalation in the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.
Strengthened controls and more safeguards
According to the IAEA report, Iran has accepted the request to increase the frequency and intensity of safeguards at Fordow. This will facilitate the Agency in implementing enhanced monitoring of enrichment activities.
The IAEA emphasizes that Iran currently produces more than 34 kg of uranium, enriched to 60%, per month at Fordow. This is six times more than the previous quantities produced together at Fordow and the Natanz above-ground plant.
Uranium and the risk of nuclear weapons
According to the IAEA criteria, about 42 kg of uranium enriched to 60% is sufficient for the production of a nuclear weapon. The report notes that Iran already has more than four times that amount.
Western powers stress that there is no peaceful justification for enriching to these levels. Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and that it has no intention of producing nuclear weapons.
Political and diplomatic implications
Iran's move heightens tensions between Tehran and Western powers, which have long pushed for curbs on the country's nuclear program. Tighter monitoring may be a step toward de-escalation, but it also underscores the seriousness of the situation surrounding Iran's nuclear activities.