Iran is intensifying its uranium enrichment efforts to levels close to weapons-grade, according to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, who spoke on Wednesday. He mentioned that Iran’s recent decision to ramp up its enrichment activities was already having a noticeable impact.
Grossi had previously stated that Iran had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it intended to speed up uranium enrichment to a purity of 60%, a level much closer to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material.
Western nations have expressed grave concerns over this move, deeming it a significant escalation. They assert that there is no legitimate civilian use for uranium enriched to this degree, noting that no other nation has pursued such levels of enrichment without eventually developing nuclear weapons. However, Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful, asserting its right to enrich uranium at any level it deems necessary.
Grossi elaborated, saying, “Before it was (producing) more or less seven kilograms (of uranium enriched to up to 60%) per month, now it’s above 30 or more than that. So I think this is a clear indication of an acceleration. They are pressing the gas pedal,” as he spoke to reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
According to IAEA standards, around 42 kg of uranium enriched to 60% could potentially be enough for one nuclear bomb if further enriched. Grossi noted that Iran now possesses roughly 200 kg of uranium enriched to this level.
Although Grossi acknowledged that installing and activating the necessary additional centrifuges, which are used for uranium enrichment, would take some time, he emphasized that the acceleration of enrichment is already underway. “We are going to start seeing steady increases from now,” he remarked.
In the past, Grossi had advocated for diplomatic efforts between Iran and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had withdrawn from the nuclear agreement during his first term. This deal had imposed strict limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities but has since broken down. Grossi commented, “One can gather from the first statements from President Trump and some others in the new administration that there is a disposition, so to speak, to have a conversation and perhaps move into some form of an agreement.”
Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the situation in Davos, calling on Iran to take the initiative in improving relations with its regional neighbors and the United States. He stated that Iran must clearly demonstrate that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons.
{Matzav.com}