30 May 2012Iran has enriched uranium up to a level of 27 percent, UN atomic watchdog said Wednesday in line with the latest findings from samples from a nuclear site in the country.
"The environmental samples taken at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant on 15 February 2012 showed the presence of particles with enrichment levels of up 27 percent, which are higher than the level stated in the Design Information Questionnaire," said a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Following the latest figures the Agency requested an explanation from Iran for the presence of particles with a letter on May 4, 2012.
According to the report, Iran said that it might have happened because of technical difficulties.
"Iran indicated that the production of such particles 'above the target value' may happen for technical reasons beyond the operator's control," the IAEA report said.
While the Agency is assessing Iran's explanation, it requested further details. On May 5,2012 the Agency took further environmental samples from the same location where the particles in question had been found.
These samples are currently being analysed, stated the Agency.
The report also said that it asked Iran more information about Parchin site because of "extensive activities" in the facility, where there had been no activity for several years.
"The Agency informed Iran that, based on satellite imagery, at Parchin location, where virtually no activity had been observed for a number of years, the buildings of interest to the Agency are now subject to extensive activities that could hamper the Acengy's ability to undertake effective verification," said the report.
The report mentioned that Iran had not replied yet the agency's last requests.
While the Agency insist for examining the Parchin site, Iran did not provide an early access to this area.
"Iran's declaration dismissed the Agency's concerns in relation to the aforementioned issues, largely on the grounds that Iran considered them to be based on unfounded allegations," the report said.
Up to the present time, Iran was successful to enrich 20 percent its uranium level, but with the current report the enrichment level reached 27 percent, stated the report.
IAEA's report will be officially released on June 4 when the Agency's 35-member board of governors convenes in Vienna. |
