Iran announced on Monday a further halt to certain commitments of Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal, including plans for an unlimited rise in the stockpile of enriched uranium.
Speaking to reporters at the Khandab heavy water facilities at the Arak nuclear site on Monday, Iran’s atomic energy organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the Islamic Republic has increased the output of enriched uranium in Natanz nuclear site, he said, adding that a countdown started Monday.
“We will have surpassed the 300-kg limit (on stockpile of uranium) within ten days,” the spokesman said as quoted by Tasnim news agency, stressing that the pace of uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent purity will also rise.
He further said that Iran may not need to export the surplus heavy water anymore in coming years.
The spokesman dismissed the US notion that the Arak heavy water facilities will be automatically closed if the Iranian heavy water finds no international customers, highlighting the local needs and the growing internal market for the product.
Kamalvandi went on to say that as soon as the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal take “practical measures” to ensure Iran’s interest, Tehran will be able to return to the previous commitments.
More than 70 representatives of Iranian media visited the heavy water nuclear facilities of Arak on Monday to hear the announcement about a second step that Iran could take to scale back commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Source: Iranian media
