VIENNA: Iran on Wednesday started a new round of converting uranium ore into the feedstock gas for making enriched uranium, a move likely to complicate diplomacy over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, diplomats alleged.

UN inspectors ‘are reporting that the first drums of new uranium ore were fed into the process at the uranium conversion facility in Isfahan this morning,” a diplomat said.

Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for a civilian nuclear reactor or as atom bomb material.

Diplomats said the amount of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas the Iranians would have after processing what is likely to be 50 tons this time would be enough to make highly enriched uranium for up to 10 atomic bombs.—AFP