Iran intensifies uranium enrichment and seizes oil tanker as tensions with the US increase

Iran intensifies uranium enrichment and seizes oil tanker as tensions with the US increase

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Iran also seized a South Korean-flag chemical tanker in the Persian Gulf on Monday, said semi-official news agencies and Dryad Global, a maritime security risk management company.

Iran currently enriches its uranium stock by around 4.5%, which is above the 3.67% limit imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal, but well below the 90% that are considered suitable for weapons. Iran continually denies its intention to assemble nuclear weapons.

The country has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to continue enriching 20% ​​uranium, IAEA spokesman Fredrik Dahl told CNN on Friday.

The escalation represents a challenge for US President-elect Joe Biden, who has promised to revive the pact when he takes office. President Donald Trump abandoned the joint agreement in 2018, restarting sanctions on the Iranian regime.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Monday that the country began the enrichment process “a few hours ago” at the Fordow site, noting that the first uranium-enriched UF6 will be produced within hours, the IRNA said.

The IRNA added, citing Rabiei, that all necessary measures, such as informing the IAEA, have been taken.

Last month, Iran’s parliament passed a bill that would increase uranium enrichment to pre-2015 levels and block nuclear inspections if sanctions were not lifted in the wake of the murder of a leading nuclear scientist.

“The law requires the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to produce at least 120 kg of uranium enriched to 20% annually and store it within the country,” reported the Mehr news agency.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in January 2020 that Iran was enriching more uranium than before the agreement was signed, and in March, the UN found that the country almost tripled its stock in a matter of months.

Rouhani, whose government signed the historic 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, opposed last month’s project, arguing that it would undermine diplomacy.

The Iranian government has repeatedly asked the U.S. to restore the deal that Trump withdrew in 2018.

Seized tank

Meanwhile, on Monday, news outlets and the company Dryad Global reported that Iran seized a ship of chemicals bearing the South Korean flag.

“The reports indicate that the South Korean chemical tanker HANKUK CHEMI (IMO: 9232369) was probably detained by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz while it was heading for Fujairah,” said Dryad Global.

He added that 23 crew members were on board.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which is part of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, said that an “interaction occurred” within the Strait of Hormuz between a merchant ship and Iranian authorities, forcing the ship to make “a course change in Iranian waters. “

Iran said the ship was seized for “creating chemical and environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf,” said the semi-official news agency Tasnim. The vessel was seized by the IRGC Navy, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr.

CNN contacted the South Korean government for comment.

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