Iran justifies uranium enrichment levels amid IAEA concerns

Iran continues to enrich uranium at varying levels for energy, medical, and marine uses, claiming all activities fall within its rights under international law.

Hossein Abniki, former head of the Development Center at Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, stated that Iran enriches uranium to 3.5%, 20%, and 60% for different civilian and strategic applications. According to him, 3.5% enrichment is used to power nuclear reactors like the Bushehr plant, while 20% is essential for producing medical isotopes at the Tehran Research Reactor, serving over one million patients. The 60% enriched uranium, he said, supports nuclear-powered marine vessels needed for Iran’s coastal operations.

Abniki insisted that these enrichment levels are justified and aligned with Iran’s legitimate needs, which grant Iran the right to enrich and store uranium. He argued that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot interfere with Iran’s peaceful nuclear development.

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