Iran Begins 20 % Uranium Enrichment at Fordo Nuclear Facility

On Monday, the Iranian government announced that it had begun enriching uranium up to 20% purity at its underground Fordo nuclear facility. The move is considered a significant breach of the nuclear agreement signed with world powers in 2015.

Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that the enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. Weapons-grade uranium is 90% purity.

Iran has suspended a number of commitments since the US abandoned the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions.

There was no confirmation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the latest announcement. But the watchdog did say on Friday that it had been informed by Iran that it planned to enrich to 20%.

Iran’s decision to begin enriching to 20% a decade ago nearly brought an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities, tensions that only abated with the 2015 atomic deal. A resumption of 20% enrichment could see that brinksmanship return.

The White House had no immediate comment and referred to a statement issued in December by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after Iran’s parliament passed a bill on increasing uranium enrichment.

Pompeo condemned the law as “nothing more than the regime’s latest ploy to use its nuclear program to try to intimidate the international community.”

A spokesman for President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team declined to comment.

Iran’s decision comes after its parliament passed a bill, later approved by a constitutional watchdog, aimed at hiking enrichment to pressure Europe into providing sanctions relief. It also serves as pressure ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Biden, who has said he is willing to re-enter the nuclear deal.