Iran has begun enriching uranium at its underground enrichment facility in Natanz using advanced IR-4 centrifuges, according to a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“On 15 March 2021, the Agency verified that Iran began feeding the cascade of 174 IR-4 centrifuges already installed at FEP [Fuel Enrichment Plant] with natural UF6,” the report states, according to Reuters. UF6 refers to uranium hexafluoride, a compound used in uranium enrichment.
The IAEA report also noted that Tehran plans on installing additional IR-4 centrifuges at the facility but that the work has not yet started.
“In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5 percent U-235 at FEP,” said the report.
