TEHRAN (ISNA) — The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi announced that his concern has begun the mechanical test of its new-generation IR-9 centrifuges.

Currently, Iran enriches uranium via IR-1, IR-2m and IR-4 centrifuges. Under the Nuclear Deal, Iran is only allowed to use IR-1 centrifuges.

Behrouz Kamalvandi

In an interview with ISNA on Tuesday, Kamalvandi said:

One of the advances made in the field of uranium enrichment is the beginning of the mechanical test of the IR-9 centrifuge.

The output of the IR-9 centrifuge can stand at 50 SWUs. This machine is one of the most important completely native centrifuges in Iran which manufactures and operates with new standard methods.

Iran has been working on development of new and upgrading existing uranium enrichment centrifuges. In reprisal to the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Deal, Iran began using advanced centrifuges at its nuclear sites. On April 1, Iran commenced uranium enrichment in the Natanz underground facility via the fourth cascade of IR-2m class centrifuges.

Besides, Kamalvandi also boasted that Iran will unveil 133 achievements in the nuclear industry on Friday April 9, which marks the National Day of Nuclear Technology:

40 items out of the 133 achievements are related to the field of uranium enrichment.

Moreover, 12 projects in different fields including quantum, laser, nuclear medicine, and enrichment will be inaugurated on the same day by President Hassan Rouhani through video conference.