This photo released on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organsation of Iran shows centrifuge machines in Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. AP
By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
TEHRAN — Iran has intensified its production of near weapons-grade uranium, raising concerns following ominous threats against Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The United Nations nuclear watchdog reported on Tuesday that in recent weeks, Iran has reversed a previous slowdown in uranium enrichment that began last summer.
Iran has already achieved 60% purity in its uranium enrichment, possessing enough material to potentially construct three nuclear bombs, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This development comes days after Iran issued a warning that Israel would “pay the price” for an airstrike in Syria that targeted a top commander.
Diplomats speculate that Iran initially slowed down its enrichment process in June due to secret negotiations with the United States, which eventually led to the release of U.S. citizens held by Iran earlier this year. However, recent weeks have seen Iran “increase its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous output reduction from mid-2023,” as stated in a confidential IAEA report.
Iran is moving toward achieving roughly 90% purity, considered weapons-grade uranium, at two different enrichment plants. While Iran was previously enriching about 3 kilograms per month to 60%, recent figures indicate an increase to about nine kilograms per month since the end of November. According to the IAEA’s definition, approximately 42 kilograms of enriched uranium is sufficient to produce a nuclear bomb.
The change in production levels was first observed by the watchdog’s inspectors just after Thanksgiving. These developments unfold at a precarious time in the Middle East, with tensions escalating since Hamas’ assault on Israel in early October.
Heightened concerns about the conflict spreading across the region emerged after an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed a top Iranian commander earlier this week. In response, Iran issued strong warnings, with Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi stating, “This act is a sign of the Zionist regime’s frustration and weakness in the region for which it will certainly pay the price.”
Iran has faced long-standing accusations of supporting Palestinian terror organizations and other U.S.-designated terrorist groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The escalating uranium enrichment further exacerbates regional tensions and raises international concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities.