BICOM

The latest quarterly report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran’s nuclear programme was circulated yesterday. It revealed that Iran has installed new advanced centrifuges at a key nuclear plant, triggering international criticism.

The report said that advanced next-generation equipment has been installed at the Natanz plant, capable of speeding up the enrichment of uranium which Western countries fear will be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. The report says, “The Agency observed that Iran had started the installation of IR-2m centrifuges and empty centrifuge casings.”

The move has drawn almost immediate global criticism, with Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt calling it, “another signal that Iran has no intention of providing the necessary reassurance… that its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes.” Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the IAEA report “very grave” and said that it “proves Iran is continuing to rapidly advance to the red line” which he set out at the United Nations in September, which if crossed could precipitate military intervention. US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called news of the equipment upgrade “yet another provocative step” by Iran.

The IAEA report also revealed that Iran is continuing to increase its supply of 20 per cent enriched uranium, with Tehran’s stockpile of such material having increased from 135g to 167g over the past three months. Uranium which is enriched to 20 per cent is considered just a small step away from weapons grade quality.

The IAEA report comes just days before Iranian negotiators meet in Kazakhstan with representatives of the P5+1 powers  – United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany – who are tasked with leading the international effort to resolve concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme through a diplomatic solution.