UN nuclear agency claims Iran boosting nuclear capabilities

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said Iran has taken steps to boost its nuclear capabilities with increased capacity for uranium enrichment.

It claimed that Tehran has now installed over 1,000 advanced IR2m centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment plant and has begun making nuclear fuel for its planned Arak heavy-water research reactor.

According to BBC, the West fears that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons, but the latter has denied any such claims.

The IAEA's quarterly report has, meanwhile, revealed that Iran has kept the production of the most sensitive nuclear material, 20 percent enriched uranium, within toleration limits defined by Israel, which is below 240 kgs.

While it is believed that President Hassan Rouhani has improved the political atmosphere in the country, he may not be able to change the country's nuclear course without a green signal from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

President Rouhani has said that he wants to start negotiating with world powers with a more transparent nuclear programme, the report added.

However, he has not been able to nominate a chief nuclear negotiator as of now due to political compulsions.