IAEA Confirms Iran Plans to Install More Centrifuges at Natanz

 

Jason Ditz 

Posted onFebruary 2, 2021CategoriesNewsTagsIran

A new report from the IAEA reports that Iran is planning to install yet more advanced centrifuges at the underground Natanz site. Iran confirmed this, and the installation is not a shock as they were generally expanding their number of centrifuges in operation.

Officials say that the Ir-2 centrifuges are four times the capacity of the old models Iran was using. Iran has noted the additional capacity they have added is reversible if a negotiated deal is reached.

Iran has installed two cascades of centrifuges, and plans one more. The underground Natanz site is being used after sabotage at the previous site there, which Iran had blamed on Israel.

Iran’s parliament has mandated stepped up enrichment, pending negotiations over sanctions relief. There was hope such negotiations would happen after President Biden took office, but there has been no public indication that the two sides are close to bringing issues to the table.

If they agree to talks, the deals are fairly straightforward, as Iran has confirmed willingness to go back to the terms of the original nuclear deal, so long as they get the promised sanctions relief, which would imply the US returning to the deal and not constantly undermining everyone else’s trade with Iran.

https://news.antiwar.com/2021/02/02/iaea-confirms-iran-plans-to-install-more-centrifuges-at-natanz/