USA: Iran on the verge of producing a nuclear weapon

2024-07-21 10:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

USA: Iran on the verge of producing a nuclear weapon

Photo: EPA

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Iran is on the verge of "achieving the capability to produce radioactive material for nuclear weapons". The US chief diplomat said this during the Aspen Security Forum Security Conference taking place in Colorado.

He added that Iran has not yet developed nuclear weapons. However, the current situation is not "good". The US government is following developments on the issue very closely, he said. In recent months, it has become clear that the government in Tehran is making progress with its nuclear program, Blinken said. He reiterated Washington's goal of preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons.

In mid-June, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran was continuing to expand its nuclear program. The IAEA referred to an announcement by the Tehran government to install additional cascades for uranium centrifuges at the Natans and Fordo uranium enrichment plants.

The US, France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia and China signed an agreement with Iran in 2015 on its nuclear program. In it, Iran pledged, among other things, to greatly limit its nuclear program.

Bliken: One of the biggest mistakes of recent years

Under Republican President Donald Trump, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Trump also strengthened sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a result, Iran gradually abandoned compliance with its obligations. Tehran greatly expanded uranium enrichment and limited inspections by the IAEA. Negotiations to revive the agreement have so far shown no progress.

Blinken called the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal "one of the biggest mistakes we've made in recent years." The United States and partner countries should try, ideally, to use diplomatic means to control the situation, Blinken said.

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian spoke last week in favor of starting constructive talks with Europe to end his country's isolation. He also said he intends to revive the agreement on the nuclear program./ CNA