Iran Breaches Nuclear Fuel Limit: Business Insider

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency confirm Iranian reports that the country has exceeded a limit on its enriched uranium hexafluoride as outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal. The United States withdrew from that Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions. Iran initially abided by those limits as requested by the European Union, but announced a change of heart after the United States accused Iran of attacking two oil tankers. The limit would have expired in 2030. “The stockpile, which is enriched to a relatively low level, can be used in power plants, but not to build nuclear weapons,” reports Alexandra Ma for Business Insider. She points out analysts suggest “Breaching the limit is a symbolic defiance of Trump, but will not really put Iran much closer to building a nuclear weapon.” The move, which could be reversed, is the latest in a series of escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. – YaleGlobal