The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published a report that reveals Iran is pursuing its uranium enrichment program at a rapid rate. The UN agency detected particles of uranium enriched up to 83.7%, a level close to the 90% threshold needed to produce an atomic weapon. This has caused alarm among Western countries, with the head of the CIA claiming that Iran could produce enough highly enriched uranium to construct a bomb in a matter of weeks.
In response, Iran has denied the accusations, with nuclear program spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi stating that only two or three small particles with an enrichment above 84% were detected at the Fordoo site. He added that if Iran wanted to enrich more than 60%, it would announce it publicly.
The IAEA report was released as its head, Rafael Grossi, is set to travel to Tehran. Iran has made it clear that it will not limit its nuclear program until the United States lifts the sanctions that have been imposed in recent years. The stockpiles of enriched uranium in Iran now exceed the limit authorized by the 2015 nuclear agreement by 18 times.
It is evident that Iran’s nuclear program is a major cause of concern for the international community. It remains to be seen what measures will be taken to ensure that Iran does not use its uranium enrichment capabilities to create a nuclear weapon.