Iran’s new commitments to allow tighter oversight at its nuclear facilities represent a key step forward, United Nations officials said Monday as they sought to tamp down growing fears about Tehran’s nuclear program amid reports that the Islamic Republic can now produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb in as little as 12 days.
The recent stunning revelations about just how quickly Tehran could make nuclear weapons — down from previous estimates of roughly one year — come amid growing questions about the Biden administration’s broader strategy for containing Iran’s nuclear program, and its apparent lack of a serious Plan B after diplomatic talks with Iran collapsed last year.
Against that grim backdrop, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran over the weekend and met with Iranian officials about the country’s nuclear program. He emerged with a deal that he said would restore cameras and other monitoring equipment at key Iranian nuclear sites, including one location where particles of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels were recently discovered.
Mr. Grossi also provoked the ire of Mr. Netanyahu over the weekend when he told reporters a pre-emptive strike to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities would be “outlawed” under international law. Speculation is rampant in the region that Israel is contemplating just such a strike should Iran appear close to deploying a nuclear weapon.
Last week, the IAEA reported that uranium enriched up to 83.7% was discovered at Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear site. The multinational 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed by the U.S. during the Obama administration, limited Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67%, which is enough to produce civilian power — which Iran claims is the purpose of its nuclear programs — but not enough for a weapon.
Indeed, detailed inspections and unfettered access for IAEA inspectors will be crucial in the weeks and months to come. Specialists say that Iran is at a pivotal moment in its nuclear program. Those assessments have added fresh fuel to the political fight between the administration and its Republican critics, who argue that the U.S. should have kept up intense economic pressure on Tehran rather than pursuing diplomacy.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
US senators call for UN probe into secret Iranian torture centers exposed by CNN | CNNA committee of US senators has called on the United Nations to investigate a network of secret torture centers in Iran exposed by a CNN investigation last month.
Weiterlesen »
Putin and Iranian leader Raisi discuss 'joint infrastructure projects'Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their ties and discussed 'joint infrastructure projects' during a recent conversation.
Weiterlesen »
Iranian supreme leader calls for death penalty after poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirlsIran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the culprits of the mysterious poisonings at girls' schools should be sentenced to death for the 'unforgivable crime' if they are found to be deliberate.
Weiterlesen »
Nations secure U.N. global high seas biodiversity pactNegotiators from more than 100 countries completed a U.N. treaty to protect the high seas on Saturday, a long-awaited step that environmental groups say will help reverse marine biodiversity losses and ensure sustainable development.
Weiterlesen »
Biden to Urge Allied Nations for More Ukraine Support at UN General AssemblyWhen U.S. President Joe Biden takes the famed speakers rostrum at the United Nations Assembly Hall, he will do so under immense international scrutiny.
Weiterlesen »
Türkiye calls for developing vulnerable nations at UN summitTürkiye's foreign minister stresses the need to support the development and progress of vulnerable nations at 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Qatar's Doha
Weiterlesen »