Iran has successfully produced 60% enriched uranium, top politician says - its highest level ever

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

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• The speaker of Iran's parliament said the country had successfully enriched uranium to 60%.
• That is the country's highest level of enrichment yet.
• Iran had not previously enriched uranium higher than 20%, and 90% would be weapons-grade level.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

The speaker of Iran's parliament said the country had successfully enriched uranium to its highest level yet.

Mohammad Qalibaf tweeted on Friday morning: "I am proud to announce that at 00:40 … Iranian scientists were able to produce 60% enriched uranium," Reuters reported.

As Insider's John Haltiwanger previously reported, Iran had not previously enriched uranium higher than 20%.

Ninety percent-enriched uranium is weapons-grade level, and the 2015 nuclear deal sets the limit on uranium enrichment at 3.67%.

Iran had said on Thursday that it would start enriching uranium up to 60% purity after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility.

Iran blamed Israel for that attack, though Israel has not claimed responsibility.

Iran's enriching higher levels of uranium could complicate talks between Iran and the US on reviving the nuclear deal.

Experts say the attack on the nuclear facility was part of Israel effort to undermine the move to revive the deal.

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