Iran’s 60% enrichment has no civilian justification, US tells IAEA board

The US told the IAEA Board of Governors on Wednesday that Iran’s ongoing nuclear escalation, including enrichment to 60%, has “no credible civilian application” and raises serious proliferation concerns.

"Iran is the only country in the world producing uranium enriched to 60 percent that does not have nuclear weapons, an act that has no valid civilian application," Chargé d’affaires Howard Solomon said.

“Iran now has a clear opportunity to build confidence: by providing the Agency with greater transparency, not less; by implementing the Additional Protocol, not limiting inspections; by ending its production of highly enriched uranium, not accelerating it; by accepting the designation of Agency inspectors, not undermining the Agency’s verification,” he added, warning that continued escalation would only deepen mistrust.

"This path forward starts with Iran ceasing its escalatory nuclear activities, fulfilling its safeguards obligations, and allowing the Agency to provide assurance that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. Continuing to move in the opposite direction will only move Iran further from its goals."