Iran says it has enriched over 210 kilograms of uranium to 20%

Tehran: Iran's atomic agency said Friday that its stockpile of 20 per cent enriched uranium has reached over 210 kilograms (463 pounds), the latest provocative move ahead of upcoming nuclear talks with the West.

In a report carried by semi-official Tasnim and Fars news agencies, spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the atomic agency had produced well beyond a 120 kilogram target for 20 per cent enriched uranium set by parliament.

Under the historic 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the World Powers, Iran was not meant to enrich uranium above 3.67 percent. Enriched uranium above 90 percent can be used for nuclear weapons.

After months of delays, the European Union, Iran and the U.S. announced Wednesday that indirect talks to resuscitate the deal would resume on Nov. 29 in Vienna.

The nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, promises Iran economic incentives in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, and is meant to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb. Tehran insists its program is peaceful.

Kamalvandi also said that so far his agency has also produced 25 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium, a level that only countries with nuclear weapons have the physical capabilities to

produce.