To make matters worse, Iran captured a South Korean tanker, the MT Hankuk Chemi, and detained its crew, according to the Guardian. Currently, the ship sits in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. South Korea has demanded the release of the ship and has activated its forces in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IAEA confirmed Iran’s enrichment efforts, saying in a public statement, “Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 percent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20%.”
It remains to be seen if Iran plans to use the enrichment scheme and seized tanker as a bargaining chip with the incoming Biden administration.
Iran demands full compliance by all parties to the deal to reverse actions
That said, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted “Our measures are fully reversible upon FULL compliance by ALL (parties to the deal).” Of course, no one knows for sure as to what Iran’s intentions are with the scheme.
