The tensions between Iran and the US escalate, with IAEA's Grossi highlighting Iran's capability to resume nuclear activities despite recent military strikes.
Iran on Brink of Uranium Enrichment for Nuclear Weapon, Warns IAEA Chief
Iran on Brink of Uranium Enrichment for Nuclear Weapon, Warns IAEA Chief
UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi suggests Iran could resume uranium enrichment for a bomb in months.
Rafael Grossi, the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), issued a chilling warning that Iran is poised to start enriching uranium again for potential weapons development within "a matter of months." Following recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Grossi noted that Iranian facilities had not been entirely destroyed, countering former President Donald Trump’s assertion that these locations were "totally obliterated."
These military actions, carried out with the collaboration of Israel on June 13, focused on critical Iranian facilities including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, after claims emerged that Tehran was nearing the capability to produce atomic weapons. Grossi emphasized that Iran still possesses the necessary technology and infrastructure to recommence uranium enrichment swiftly, stating, “Tehran could have a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium.”
Despite the strikes, a leaked Pentagon report suggests that the US interventions may have only delayed Iran's nuclear ambitions by a few months. Meanwhile, Trump continued to assert that Iran's nuclear sites were utterly decimated, criticizing media narratives that downplayed the military success of the strikes.
Recent developments have led to an uneasy ceasefire between Israel and Iran. However, Trump's willingness to consider further military action looms if intelligence reports indicate Iran’s progression towards dangerous uranium enrichment levels. Tensions remain high, with Iranian military leaders expressing doubts about Israel's commitment to the ceasefire and readiness to respond decisively if provoked.
Public statements from Iranian officials have conveyed a mixed response regarding the extent of damage inflicted by the strikes. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed their significance, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the destruction as "excessive and serious." Adding to this complexity, Iran’s parliament has moved to curb cooperation with the IAEA, further straining relations after the agency had previously reported Iran's breach of nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear endeavors are solely for peaceful purposes. While Grossi remains hopeful for future diplomatic negotiations with Iran, he acknowledges the pressing need for a long-term resolution to mitigate escalating tensions. The 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran's enrichment activities, has effectively collapsed since Trump's withdrawal and the imposition of renewed sanctions, leading Iran to breach its enrichment commitments, with reports of sufficient stockpiles for up to nine nuclear weapons capability. The geopolitical implications of these developments continue to unfold, raising alarms globally as the situation evolves.
