Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest-ever level

The threat of higher enrichment by Iran already has drawn criticism from the US and three European nations in the deal — France, Germany and the United Kingdom

TEHRAN

Worshippers pray around the Holy Kaaba in Makkah on Friday. Agence France-Presse

Iran began enriching uranium on Friday to its highest-ever purity that edges Tehran close to weapons-grade levels, attempting to pressure negotiators in Vienna amid talks on restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main enrichment site.

A top official said only a few grammes an hour of uranium gas would be enriched up to 60% purity — triple the level it once did but at a quantity far lower than what the Islamic Republic could produce. Iran also is enriching at an above-ground facility at its Natanz nuclear site already visited by international inspectors, not deep within its underground halls hardened to withstand airstrikes.

The narrow scope of the new enrichment provides Iran with a way to quickly de-escalate if it chooses, experts say, but time is narrowing. An Iranian presidential election looms on the horizon as Tehran already is threatening to limit international inspections. Israel, suspected over carrying out last week’s sabotage at Natanz, also could act again amid a long-running shadow war between the two Middle East rivals.