Blinken: Iran announcement of 60% uranium enrichment 'provocative'
Iran to begin enrichment of uranium at 60%, a step closer to 90% needed for weapons-grade nuke
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran beginning to enrich uranium at 60 percent was “provocative” on Wednesday.
“We take very seriously its provocative announcement of an intent to begin enriching uranium at 60 percent,” Blinken said at a news conference outside of NATO’s Brussels headquarters.
Iran said Thursday it would begin enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, responding to what it alleges was a sabotage by Israel on its Natanz nuclear facility.
For weapons-grade uranium, Iran must enriched the material to 90 percent, with Tehran's announcement meaning it is one step closer to a nuclear weapon.
The announcement comes also after the US is attempting to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, in Vienna. The 2015 agreement limits Iran’s nuclear activity for uplifting sanctions, but Iran has geared up its nuclear production recently.
European allies earlier condemned Iran’s announcement, saying Tehran’s steps worked contrary to diplomatic efforts in Vienna.
“I have to tell you the step calls into question Iran’s seriousness with regard the nuclear talks, just as it underscores the imperative of returning to mutual compliance with the JCPOA,” Blinken said.