Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 20
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
A new report published by the International Atomic Energy Agency indicates that Iran's average daily production of 3.5 percent low enriched uranium (LEU) has decreased significantly compared to earlier periods.
The 17-page report, released Feb.19 says that between 11 October 2014 and 1 February 2015, a total of approximately 790.9 kg of natural uranium gas (UF6) was fed into centrifuges in the IR-1, IR-2m, IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges, but no LEU was withdrawn as the product.
The report says that Iran's total LEU production at the Natanz through February 7, 2015 is reported to be 13,730 kg.
IAEA's report added that since Iran began enriching uranium at its declared facilities (Natanz and Fordow), it has produced at those facilities:
About 14, 175 kg (+877.6 kg since the previous report) of UF6 enriched up to 5% U-235, of which 7,953 kg (-337.4 kg since the previous report) remain in the form of UF6 enriched up to 5% U-235 and the rest has been further processed.
Regarding IAEA's latest report, The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) released a report on Feb.20, saying, "the average monthly production of 3.5 percent LEU at the FEP decreased from the past reporting period from approximately 233 kg per month to approximately 206 kg per month of LEU hexafluoride. This is the lowest monthly production rate since May 2013".
The report says since November 10, 2013, Iran has had 90 IR-1 centrifuge cascades fully installed for a total of 15,420 IR-1 centrifuges, the same as the previous reporting periods. The number of cascades enriching, namely 54 cascades, remains constant since the previous reporting period; these cascades fed with uranium hexafluoride contain 9,156 centrifuges.
Heavy Water Related Projects
IAEA's report says that contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council, Iran has not suspended work on all heavy water related projects .51 However, since the Joint Plan Action took effect (January 2014), Iran has neither installed any major components at the IR-40 Reactor nor produced nuclear fuel assemblies for the IR-40 Reactor at the Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP).
Edited by CN