VIENNA, AUSTRIA (BNO NEWS) – Iran on Monday informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it would increase its enriched uranium production to up to 20 percent, compacting further international tension.

The IAEA confirmed that they have received a letter from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on Monday, in which Iran informed the Agency that production of less than 20 percent enriched uranium is being foreseen at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz for fuel for the Tehran Research Center.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano noted his concern with this decision, as it may affect the ongoing international efforts to ensure the availability of nuclear fuel for the Tehran Research Director and reiterated the Agency’s readiness to play an intermediary role on this issue.

The current controversy over Iran’s nuclear program revolves around allegations of nuclear studies by Iran with possible military applications and U.S. security implications.

U.S. intelligence under the Bush Administration reported alleged proof that Iran was using the uranium enrichment with a military application while the IAEA criticized the administration for the refusal to release the full documentation – citing that a key document in the study has since been proven to have been fraudulently altered, casting doubt over the entire collection of documents.