JAKARTA - Iran decided to begin enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity, pushing its nuclear program to a higher level than ever before, after an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.
Iran's move was announced by President Hasan Rouhani on Wednesday, April 14. However, Rouhani again underlined, Iran does not build nuclear weapons. In addition to saying it would begin enriching uranium by up to 60 percent, Iran also said it would activate 1,000 advanced centrifugal machines at the site.
"Of course, the security and intelligence forces had to provide a final report, but it turned out to be a Zionist crime. And if the Zionists act against our nation, we will answer it," Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting as reported by Reuters on Wednesday, April 14.
"Our response to their hatred is to replace the damaged centrifuges with more sophisticated ones and increase enrichment by up to 60 percent at the Natanz facility," he said.
"They (Israel) want our hands blank in the negotiations, but we will negotiate with stronger hands," Rouhani said meaningfully.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the attack in Natanz could undermine ongoing talks on the 2015 Nuclear Deal.
The talks were aimed at finding a way for the United States to re-enter into the agreement, to limit Iran's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi was in Vienna, Austria to begin informal talks Tuesday night, making a statement on his hopes of these negotiations.
"We believe this round of negotiations is the time for the United States to present a list. And I hope, I can return to Tehran with a list of sanctions that must be lifted. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time," he told Iranian television, as reported by Koreatimes.
The talks in Vienna aimed to revive America's role in the agreement, abandoned by former President Donald Trump, and lift the sanctions it imposed.
The Vienna-based IAEA said Iran had informed them of plans to begin enriching uranium up to 60 percent of its purity at its Natanz facility.
Before the Natanz attack, in February, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would raise its enrichment level by up to 60 percent if needed.
"We are determined to develop our nuclear capabilities according to the needs of the country. For this reason, Iran's enrichment will not be limited to 20 percent. And we will take whatever action is necessary for the country," Khamenei said at the time.
Iran has previously said it could use up to 60 percent enriched uranium for nuclear-powered vessels. However, it is known that until now Iran does not yet have a nuclear-powered ship in its Navy.
"Those who commit acts of sabotage against the nuclear facilities in Natanz, may want to undermine the process of reviving the nuclear agreement," said Russian Ambassador to the IAEA Mikhail Ulyanov.
On the same day, two maritime security sources told Reuters the Israeli military was on high alert, after their freighter was attacked by Iran in the Gulf of Oman, near fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates. Despite the explosion, there were no fatalities in the attack this time.
Israeli media Channel 12 quoted an Israeli official as saying he was reluctant to be named, accusing Iran of being behind the attack on their ship. There has been no confirmation of this from either Israel or the UAE.
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