Iran enriching home processed uranium

Iran initially enriched uranium from China but is now using domestically processed uranium in its nuclear programme...

Iran initially enriched uranium from China but is now using domestically processed uranium in its nuclear programme, an Iranian diplomat said on Friday after some doubts were cast on his country’s recent enrichment claims.

Iran said last month it had enriched uranium to the level used in power stations for the first time, crediting its own scientists for the breakthrough. The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed this from samples taken in Iran.

But diplomats in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, said on Thursday that the processed uranium, uranium hexafluoride (UF6), that Iran purified was almost certainly Chinese UF6 and not Iranian.

‘‘This is correct. Preliminary tests were made using UF6 bought from China but one week after that, we started to use the UF6 that we have produced in Isfahan and now the UF6 that is being used in Natanz facility for enrichment is our own product,’’ said the Iranian diplomat, who asked not to be identified because of the issue’s sensitivity.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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