Iran enriching uranium to five percent

Atomic agency spokesman defends canceling UN nuclear inspection

TEHERAN - Iran said on Saturday it is now enriching uranium to five percent, in another step back from its commitments under a troubled 2015 accord with major powers.

That deal set a 3.67 percent ceiling for uranium enrichment, but Iran announced it would no longer respect it after Washington unilaterally abandoned the agreement last year and reimposed crippling sanctions.