IAEA: Iran has installed half of its advanced uranium enrichment machines at Fordow

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported, as seen by Reuters, that Iran has installed half of its advanced uranium enrichment machines (which it stated earlier this month it would rapidly add at the Fordow site) but has not yet activated them. Two weeks ago, Iran informed the IAEA that within three to four weeks it would rapidly increase its enrichment capacity at the site by adding eight cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow. The IAEA confirmed within two days that two cascades had been installed. According to Reuters, on Friday, July 8, the agency reported in a confidential document to member states that this number has now doubled. The report states: "The agency's verification shows that Iran has installed four of the eight IR-6 cascades in Unit 1 of the Fordow enrichment facility," adding that this verification was conducted last Sunday. The report indicates that Iran has not specified to the agency when it will inject uranium hexafluoride gas into any of the centrifuge cascades in Unit 1. Diplomats say the addition of these machines is a response to a resolution from the IAEA's 35-member Board of Governors, which called on Tehran to enhance cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and lift the recent ban imposed on its inspectors. On Thursday, July 7, the U.S. reacted to Iran's actions to develop its nuclear program and statements from its officials regarding a possible change in its "nuclear doctrine" by sanctioning three Emirati companies for "participating in the transportation of Iranian oil and petrochemical products." According to the U.S. State Department, this action was taken under Executive Order 13846 of the U.S. President due to violations of Iran sanctions. The head of the IAEA recently announced that Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium is increasing and has reached about 142 kilograms, which is more than 20 kilograms above the agency's previous estimate. However, due to the agency's access restrictions to nuclear facilities in Iran, this figure is considered an estimate. The Wall Street Journal reports that new intelligence indicates that Iran is beginning the stages of building missiles necessary to carry about six nuclear bombs, which could be produced using that amount of enriched uranium. The review of Iran's nuclear program at the UN Security Council; the European Troika has put the "snapback mechanism" on the table. An American think tank expert told Voice of America: "It is not too late to prevent the construction of a nuclear bomb in Iran." New construction at two Iranian nuclear sites; the Washington Post states that the rate of enriched uranium production at Fordow may triple. The U.S. and Israel are reviewing new information about Iran's nuclear activities. France, Germany, and Britain condemned Iran's actions to expand its nuclear program.