VIENNA (Reuters) -- Iran has not expanded the number of centrifuges enriching uranium at its Natanz nuclear site since the end of May, after increasing capacity steadily over the previous three years, Vienna diplomats told Reuters.
The reason for the slowdown was unclear. It coincided with postelection turmoil in Iran, a change of leadership at Tehran's nuclear energy agency, and the plans of major powers for talks on harsher sanctions against Iran over its disputed atomic work.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its last report on Iran that just under 5,000 centrifuges were refining uranium at its underground Natanz enrichment plant as of May 31.
The IAEA's next report is due to come out later this week.
The reason for the slowdown was unclear. It coincided with postelection turmoil in Iran, a change of leadership at Tehran's nuclear energy agency, and the plans of major powers for talks on harsher sanctions against Iran over its disputed atomic work.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its last report on Iran that just under 5,000 centrifuges were refining uranium at its underground Natanz enrichment plant as of May 31.
The IAEA's next report is due to come out later this week.
