Iran’s decision to produce metallic uranium enriched to 20% pure, intended solely for peaceful purposes, said a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, adding that Tehran will cancel its nuclear steps as soon as US sanctions are lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – July 8, 2021 \u2013 International News<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “Contrary to the claims of the United States and European states … this measure is intended solely for peaceful purposes and is intended for use at the Tehran Research Reactor,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Hatibzadeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Tuesday, the UN <\/a>nuclear security service announced that Iran had begun production of enriched metallic uranium<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tehran said it had informed the agency of its decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iran’s move has drawn criticism from the United States and three European nations, which have been negotiating with Tehran since early April to renew a 2015 deal that agreed on Iran limit its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington withdrew from the agreement three years ago, and Iran gradually violated its restrictions in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This measure does not contradict Iran’s non-proliferation commitments and guarantees under the 2015 agreement … and Tehran is ready to cancel its steps after the lifting of sanctions,” Khatibzadeh said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Tuesday, US and European officials made it clear that Iran’s <\/a>decision would complicate and potentially “torpedo” indirect US-Iranian talks aimed at returning Tehran and Washington to full compliance with the pact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, Tehran has already produced a small amount of unenriched metallic uranium. This is a violation of the agreement, which prohibits all work with uranium metal because it can be made into the nucleus of a nuclear bomb. Iran has always denied the existence of nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n