US, European powers condemn Iran uranium metal decision

Iran gave notice to the UN watchdog IAEA of concrete steps to produce uranium metal enriched to up to 20 percent purity.

The United States and European powers have condemned Iran’s decision to produce uranium metal enriched to 20 percent purity but the US said the window for diplomacy to allow both to resume compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal remained open. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Tuesday that Iran intended to enrich uranium to 20 percent, in the latest sign the Vienna talks on reviving the joint comprehensive plan of action could be stalling. The move takes Iran a step closer to developing materials that could be used to make a nuclear weapon.