IAEA chief says moving Iran’s enriched uranium is ‘difficult but not impossible’

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said that moving Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium out of the country is “difficult but not impossible”, AL Jazeera reported.

The comments come as discussions continue over a potential agreement between Tehran and Washington. Iran is estimated to possess about 440kg of uranium enriched to roughly 60 percent purity.

Grossi said transferring the material would be technically challenging because “this is in gas form, highly contaminant, and it’s not an easy operation”.

He added that alternatives such as “downblending” the uranium into a less enriched form are also being considered.

While the IAEA is not directly involved in the negotiations, Grossi said he remains in contact with both sides, adding: “Our contribution to this is to make it possible, to make it viable.”