Iran Removes Caps on Uranium Enrichment, Heavy Water Production

At the directive of Iran’s National Security Council, the country has lifted caps on its production of enriched uranium and heavy water, the building blocks for parallel routes to the development of nuclear weapons. The announcement comes days after Tehran said it would “diminish” its commitment to the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, from which the United States withdrew last year. The accord allows the Islamic Republic to manufacture a maximum of 300 kilograms of uranium enriched to 3.67 percent, well below the 90% threshold required to create nuclear arms. It also permits Iran to maintain a stockpile of 130 tons of heavy water, although the regime can export excess amounts. The mullahs this week gave other parties to the nuclear agreement – namely, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China – a 60-day ultimatum to help alleviate the pinch of US economic sanctions or face the prospect of Tehran withdrawing completely from the pact. While Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday stressed that his regime was not seeking a confrontation with the US, he reiterated his objection to any diplomatic engagement with the Americans.