"High heavy water stocks" .. Atomic confirms Iran's breach of the nuclear deal and Europe condemns and threatens

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has violated another clause of a nuclear deal with major powers, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report said on Monday, as European nations condemned the move and threatened sanctions if Tehran did not back down.

Iran currently stores more than 130 tonnes of heavy water, which is used in a type of reactor developed by Iran.

`` Iran informed the IAEA on November 16, 2019 that its stock of heavy water exceeded 130 tons, '' the report said.

`` The IAEA verified on November 17, 2019 that the heavy water production facility was in operation and Iran's stock of heavy water was 131.5 metric tons, '' he said.

The report also said Iran had also increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to 372.3 kg, up from the maximum limit of 202.8 kg stipulated in the 2015 nuclear deal.

The deal aims to reduce uranium enrichment, which can be used to make nuclear fuel or material for nuclear weapons.

Tehran does not hide its breach of some of the terms of the agreement, saying it comes in response to America's withdrawal from the agreement and imposing harsh sanctions on the Iranian economy.

The report also said Tehran had set up a new site for testing centrifuges used for enrichment.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had found traces of uranium at a vacancy that Iran has not declared a nuclear facility.

"It is necessary for Iran to continue its interaction with the agency to resolve the issue as soon as possible," the IAEA said, calling for "full and timely cooperation."

European statement
In response to these developments, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said after meeting his French and British counterparts that European countries intend to stick to the nuclear deal with Iran.

"We still want to stick to the deal because it is better to have an agreement. But what Iran is doing worries us a lot."

In a joint statement, the three ministers and the EU's foreign affairs coordinator said they were "deeply concerned" by developments in Iran.

The statement spoke of "an unfortunate acceleration of Iran's disengagement from obligations under the agreement," and urged Tehran to retreat from that path "otherwise the major powers could launch a dispute settlement mechanism that could eventually lead to a revival of sanctions."

The multi-stage process could eventually allow them to stop implementing the nuclear agreement, which would mean reimposing the sanctions and notifying the Security Council.