A report published in recent days by the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that Iran has increased its uranium enrichment capacity to the level of 60% at the Fordow site near Qom, has raised serious concerns. This Iranian move is the result of Iran’s decision to operate a large number of advanced centrifuges at the Fordow site, which, according to Director-General Grossi, will enable Iran to produce 34 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, compared to about 7–8 kilograms previously.
Iran took this step in response to a previous decision by the IAEA Board of Governors, which condemned its lack of cooperation with the agency and demanded that the organization’s Director-General submit a detailed report on the nuclear program and Iran’s compliance with its commitments by the upcoming spring. The IAEA Director-General’s statement and his concern expressed regarding the quantities of highly enriched material Iran is accumulating led the E3—Britain, France, and Germany—to issue a statement condemning Iran’s move, demanding that it reverse its course. They even threatened to bring the issue to the UN Security Council under the “snapback” clause of the nuclear agreement, which allows the reimposition of all nuclear-related sanctions previously imposed by the Security Council on Iran.
In light of this tension, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced his country’s willingness to enhance the IAEA inspection, presenting this as part of routine cooperation with the agency. It appears Iran may also be willing to reinstate entry permits for several inspectors who had been denied access to the country.
These actions reflect growing understanding and concern in Tehran about expected developments with the incoming Trump administration next month. Iran finds itself in a severely weak position due to the blow to its proxies and the recent major setback in the form of the removal of the Assad regime. Against this backdrop, in recent months, many voices in Iran have been heard regarding the need to reassess its nuclear strategy. The latest and most senior among them is Iran’s foreign minister, who stated that while Iran is capable of producing a nuclear bomb, it has no intention of doing so.
Conversely, voices are growing, including from Israel, regarding a “window of opportunity” to strike the program due to Tehran’s weakened state. All these factors are creating increasing tension among all parties, who are preparing for the Trump administration, which, at this stage, avoids explicit reference to the issue, leaving all options on the table.
A report published in recent days by the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that Iran has increased its uranium enrichment capacity to the level of 60% at the Fordow site near Qom, has raised serious concerns. This Iranian move is the result of Iran’s decision to operate a large number of advanced centrifuges at the Fordow site, which, according to Director-General Grossi, will enable Iran to produce 34 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, compared to about 7–8 kilograms previously.
Iran took this step in response to a previous decision by the IAEA Board of Governors, which condemned its lack of cooperation with the agency and demanded that the organization’s Director-General submit a detailed report on the nuclear program and Iran’s compliance with its commitments by the upcoming spring. The IAEA Director-General’s statement and his concern expressed regarding the quantities of highly enriched material Iran is accumulating led the E3—Britain, France, and Germany—to issue a statement condemning Iran’s move, demanding that it reverse its course. They even threatened to bring the issue to the UN Security Council under the “snapback” clause of the nuclear agreement, which allows the reimposition of all nuclear-related sanctions previously imposed by the Security Council on Iran.
In light of this tension, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced his country’s willingness to enhance the IAEA inspection, presenting this as part of routine cooperation with the agency. It appears Iran may also be willing to reinstate entry permits for several inspectors who had been denied access to the country.
These actions reflect growing understanding and concern in Tehran about expected developments with the incoming Trump administration next month. Iran finds itself in a severely weak position due to the blow to its proxies and the recent major setback in the form of the removal of the Assad regime. Against this backdrop, in recent months, many voices in Iran have been heard regarding the need to reassess its nuclear strategy. The latest and most senior among them is Iran’s foreign minister, who stated that while Iran is capable of producing a nuclear bomb, it has no intention of doing so.
Conversely, voices are growing, including from Israel, regarding a “window of opportunity” to strike the program due to Tehran’s weakened state. All these factors are creating increasing tension among all parties, who are preparing for the Trump administration, which, at this stage, avoids explicit reference to the issue, leaving all options on the table.