Iran increases enriched uranium stockpile ahead of Vienna talks
Indirect talks between the United States and Iran on the latter’s nuclear program will resume in late November after months of delay.
Iran announced today it has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi said the amount of uranium enriched to 60% in the country has reached 25 kilograms (55 pounds). Iran has also produced more than 210 kilograms (460 pounds) of uranium enriched to 20%, the semi-official Press TV reported.
Enrichment of uranium is necessary for the development of nuclear energy. A nuclear weapon can be developed with uranium that is enriched at 90%. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Some countries in the region, notably Israel and Saudi Arabia, accuse Iran of seeking to produce a nuclear warhead.
Kamalvandi made the announcement at an “exhibition of Iran's nuclear achievements” in Tehran, according to Press TV.
