Uranium enriched to 20 percent is a short technical step away from weapons-grade 90 percent enrichment. Iran has said it would produce 120 kilograms (44 pounds) of 20 percent enriched uranium per year, or 12 kilograms per month on average, so 17 kilograms would exceed that timetable. Roughly 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of 20 percent enriched uranium are needed to convert it into 25 kilograms of the 90 percent enriched needed for a nuclear weapon. After the U.S. then ramped up sanctions, Iran gradually and publicly abandoned the deal’s limits on its nuclear development. State TV reported Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, that Iran has exceeded 17 kilograms of 20% enriched uranium, moving its nuclear program closer to weapons-grade enrichment levels amid heightened tensions with the U.S. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

Source: Egypt Independent January 28, 2021 12:00 UTC