IAEA: Iran ups uranium enrichment to 60pc

Iran yesterday insisted that its nuclear activities are peaceful and conform to safeguard obligations after the UN nuclear watchdog accused Tehran of  accelerating production of highly enriched uranium. International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi informed IAEA member states that Tehran was boosting such capacity at its Natanz enrichment plant. The agency verified on Saturday that "Iran had configured a new operational mode for the production of UF6 enriched up to 60 percent U-235," Grossi said in a statement to AFP. Tehran had started in mid-April to enrich uranium to 60 percent. The move takes Iran closer to the 90 percent purity level needed for use in a nuclear weapon.