Iran Begins Injecting Gas into Fordow Centrifuges

By Staff, Agencies

Iran has started injecting gas into centrifuges at Fordow enrichment facility as part of a fourth step in suspending its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal in reciprocation for Washington’s pullout and Europe’s failure to meet its end of the bargain.

The gas injection began early Wednesday with the transfer of a 2,800-kilogram cylinder containing 2,000 kilograms of UF6 [uranium hexafluoride] from Natanz nuclear facility to Fordow - near the city of Qom, where 1,044 centrifuges are installed.

The deal allowed the first-generation IR-1 centrifuges at Fordow to spin without uranium gas.

The process is taking place under the supervision of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA]. The UN nuclear watchdog is tasked with monitoring the technical aspects in the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA].

An IAEA spokesman confirmed that UN inspectors are on the ground in Iran and will report back on relevant activities.

“We are aware of the media reports today related to Fordow. Agency inspectors are on the ground in Iran and they will report any relevant activities to IAEA headquarters in Vienna,” the spokesman said in a statement.

The fourth step in Iran’s commitment reductions was initially announced by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday.

In the speech broadcast live on TV, President Rouhani confirmed that Iran was taking the fourth step in reducing its commitments under the JCPOA.