IAEA says Iran is enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, very close to nuclear threshold

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on March 15 that Iran is very close to developing nuclear weapons.

Máy ly tâm trong cơ sở làm giàu uranium Natanz ở miền trung Iran, trong hình ảnh do Tổ chức Năng lượng Nguyên tử Iran công bố qua AP

Centrifuges at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. (Source: Atomic Energy Organization of Iran)

"Iran has an extremely ambitious and extensive nuclear programme, in which they are enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels... They remain very close to the nuclear threshold - meaning they have the capability to have a nuclear weapon," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

However, Mr. Grossi also affirmed that Tehran's nuclear situation is currently under control.

Iran has repeatedly denied developing nuclear weapons. However, the IAEA said that this defense is not credible when Tehran enriches uranium to 60% for civilian purposes.

Earlier, on March 14, senior diplomats from China, Iran and Russia concluded a meeting in Beijing with a joint statement on nuclear issues and international sanctions.

The meeting was chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, with the participation of his counterparts Sergey Ryabkov (Russia) and Kazem Gharibabadi (Iran).

The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the cornerstone of the international nuclear arms control system.

China and Russia welcomed Iran's reaffirmation of the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, along with its commitment not to develop weapons of mass destruction and its continued cooperation with the IAEA.

The parties also agreed that all countries should avoid taking actions that hinder the IAEA from performing its tasks objectively and fairly, and agreed to continue to maintain contact and cooperation in the future.

Last September, in a press conference, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also affirmed that the Middle Eastern country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, while rejecting the international community's concerns about Tehran's uranium enrichment program.

While Iran remains committed to the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Pezeshkian warned that Iran's continued compliance with the deal depends on whether other signatories honor their obligations.

“If the United States and some European countries fulfill their commitments, we will do the same. If they do not, we will not,” the Iranian leader said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/iaea-noi-iran-dang-lam-giau-uranium-o-muc-gan-cap-do-vu-khi-rat-gan-voi-nguong-nu-nhan-307763.html