Iran has started injecting uranium hexafluoride (aka UF6) into its newly developed IR-8 centrifuges, hailing it as a great step in nuclear enrichment research and development, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported January 28 according to trend.az.
IR-8 is Iran’s most modern nuclear centrifuge, which is 20 times faster than IR-1, the older model which Iran used before its landmark nuclear deal of 2015.
The organization said that the research and development project is compliant with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Under the terms of the nuclear deal as issued in a fact sheet released by the US State Department last year, Iran “will not use its IR-2, IR-4, IR-5, IR-6, or IR-8 models to produce enriched uranium for at least ten years. For ten years, enrichment and enrichment research and development will be limited to ensure a breakout timeline of at least 1 year. Beyond 10 years, Iran will abide by its enrichment and enrichment R&D plan submitted to the IAEA, and pursuant to the JCPOA, under the Additional Protocol resulting in certain limitations on enrichment capacity.”
Iran has disputed the US factsheet, however saying that under the accord, it is allowed to conduct R&D on its more advanced centrifuges.
Iran believes the US has violated the nuclear deal by renewing the Iran Sanctions Act in late 2016, which eased sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.
