Stockpile of 60% enriched uranium reaches 25 kg: Iran

Iran has increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to 25 kilograms (55 pounds), potentially adding to complications dogging efforts to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Context

Iran has increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to 25 kilograms (55 pounds), potentially adding to complications dogging efforts to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

What is enriched uranium?

• Uranium is naturally occurring element.
• It can have nuclear-related uses once it has been refined, or enriched.
• This is achieved by increasing the content of its most fissile isotopes, U-235, through the use of centrifuges - machines which spin at supersonic speeds.
  

Types

• Low-enriched uranium, which typically has a 3-5% concentration of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
• Highly enriched uranium has a purity of 20% or more and is used in research reactors. Weapons-grade uranium is 90% enriched or more.