Iran said it would restart production of fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor, a facility that runs on uranium enriched to higher levels in order to produce medical isotopes. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors in Iran were told of the country’s plans, according to to a statement on Twitter by the country’s envoy, which was confirmed by semi-official Tasnim news agency. The Vienna-based agency confirmed that it had received the information.
Iran’s move is part of a broad suite of measures recently passed by the country’s parliament to accelerate nuclear activities in response to U.S. sanctions. The country has said it’s prepared to roll back those moves once the trade restrictions are lifted. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to reassess the U.S. relationship with Iran after entering office later this month.
Rising Stockpile
Iran’s inventory has risen since U.S. dropped nuclear deal
Source: IAEA data compiled by Bloomberg
Earlier this month, the Iranian government confirmed it was implementing an “anti-sanctions” law, ratified in December, reviving and ramping up certain atomic activities in order to build pressure on the incoming Biden administration to lift key sanctions.
A Jan. 4 statement published on the government’s official website, dolat.ir, said that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran would also take steps toward establishing a uranium metal production facility in Esfahan and “aim to have it operational” within months, as part of that law.