IAEA Chief Welcomes “Concrete Step” from Iran on Highly Enriched Uranium

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), commended Iran on Wednesday for a “concrete” commitment after the country took measures to halt the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

“I think this is … a concrete step in the right direction — we have a fact which has been verified by us,” Grossi told reporters in Vienna.

“I attach importance to the fact that for the first time… since the distancing of Iran from its past obligations, they are taking a different direction,” he said.

According to an IAEA report, experts observed at the Natanz and Fordo nuclear sites that “Iran has begun preparations to stop the increase of its stock of uranium enriched to 60%.” This enrichment level is perilously close to the 90% threshold required to develop an atomic bomb. Tehran, however, denies any military ambitions and maintains its right to pursue nuclear energy for civilian purposes, including electricity generation.