Iran emphasized that it could continue to produce uranium with a concentration of 20%, but if the sanctions of the United States are lifted and economic relations with each country are normalized, it will be enriched. It is said that it will stop strengthening, and it seems that uranium enrichment will be used as a diplomatic card to shake up the next administration of Biden.
The Iranian government announced on the 4th that it has begun production of 20% enriched uranium at its nuclear facility in Central Foldu.
Uranium with an enrichment of 20% or more is classified as "highly enriched uranium" and greatly deviates from the enrichment of 3.67%, which is within the range of peaceful use stipulated in the nuclear agreement six years ago, and is diverted to nuclear weapons. It has been pointed out that this will lead to a reduction in the time it takes to produce uranium.
Regarding this, Secretary of the Atomic Energy Agency Salehi said on the 5th, "Within 24 hours, we were able to produce uranium with a concentration of 20%. It is stable," 8 to 9 kg per month. Emphasized the improvement of productivity as having the ability to manufacture.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Zarif posted on Twitter on the 4th, "If all the countries concerned fully implement the agreement, our measures can be withdrawn," the US sanctions have been lifted, and with countries such as Europe. If economic relations normalize, it will stop strengthening enrichment and comply with the agreement.
It seems that Iran also aims to use uranium enrichment as a diplomatic card to shake up the next administration of Biden in the United States.
U.S. announces new economic sanctions
In response, the Trump administration in the United States has announced that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's steel-related manufacturers, saying that it is to cut off funds for Iran to support terrorism and spread weapons of mass destruction.
The US Treasury announced on the 5th that Iran's steel and metal makers will impose economic sanctions on the grounds that they are funding the Iranian government, which is supporting terrorism.
The target also includes Chinese companies that provided supplies to Iranian companies, and the sanctions will freeze assets in the United States and ban transactions with US financial institutions.
"The Trump administration will focus on supporting terrorists and cutting off funding for the Iranian government for weapons of mass destruction," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.
The Trump administration has pursued policies to economically isolate Iran, including imposing a total ban on crude oil, but as Iran begins producing 20% uranium, which deviates significantly from the nuclear agreement. , It is a form with further strengthened sanctions.
In the future, the focus will be on how President-elect Biden, who will take office on the 20th of this month, will respond to Iran.