Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, underscored on Monday the concerning persistence of Iran regime’s uranium enrichment beyond levels necessary for commercial use. He announced his upcoming visit to Iran, marking his first trip there in a year.
Speaking with Reuters, Mr. Grossi acknowledged Iran regime’s reduced pace of uranium enrichment compared to the previous year’s end, yet emphasized that it continues at a monthly rate of 7 kilograms, with a purity reaching 60%.
This level of enrichment veers dangerously close to the threshold crucial for nuclear weapons production, diverging from purely civilian applications. Despite Iran regime’s assertion of peaceful intentions, no nation has pursued such high-grade uranium enrichment without nuclear weapons ambitions.
Under the 2015 nuclear accord, known as the JCPOA, Iran was limited to enriching uranium up to 3.67%. The International Atomic Energy Agency had previously noted Iran regime’s reduction in uranium enrichment from June to November last year, followed by an alarming surge to 9 kilograms per month by year’s end.
Rafael Grossi likened this fluctuation to a concerning cycle, emphasizing that Iran regime’s highly enriched uranium stockpile continues to grow unabated.
In late 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency cautioned that should Tehran surpass 60% enrichment, it would amass the necessary materials for three nuclear weapons.
Mr. Grossi expressed alarm over recent Iranian regime statements hinting at nuclear weapon capabilities, exacerbated by the volatile situation in the Middle East, notably referencing the Gaza conflict.
Ali Akbar Salehi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, drew an analogy when queried about Iran regime’s nuclear weapon capability, likening it to a car composed of various parts. He emphasized that Iran has developed each component separately for specific purposes, rather than simply assembling them together.
In response, Rafael Grossi remarked on Iran regime’s lack of “complete transparency” regarding its nuclear program and the comments of Salehi.
