Iran Tripling Production Near Weapons-Grade Uranium; Armed Confrontation Closer
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
TEHRAN/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – A nuclear arms confrontation between Iran and Israel and its allies has come closer after confirmation that Tehran tripled production of nearly weapons-grade uranium, Worthy News established Wednesday.
Iran’s decision to dramatically increase production of highly enriched uranium reversed a decline seen over previous months, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
The production increase of nine kilograms per month boosts Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, near levels required for the development of nuclear bomb, the United Nation’s atomic watchdog added.
“This represents an increase compared to the approximately three kilograms produced per month since June and a return to the monthly pace of nine kilos during the first half of 2023,” the IAEA explained in published remarks.
As of November 15, the IAEA noted that Iran possessed 128.3 kilograms of uranium at 60 percent, described as just “a technical step” short of the 90 percent threshold necessary for a nuclear weapon.
Israel has long warned about the nuclear program of Iran, which supports groups dedicated to the destruction of the Jewish nation, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis.
In November, the IAEA was reportedly informed of an uptick in uranium enrichment to 60 percent at Iran’s Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities.
TERROR ATTACKS
The increased production comes after the October 7 terror attacks in Israel by Hamas, seen as a Palestinian terrorist organization by Israel.
It also happens amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, which apparently upended a nuclear compromise.
Tehran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but Western and Israeli officials do not believe at a time when Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have drastically increased attacks on U.S. and Western targets.
In one of the latest attacks on Christmas Day, a strike on a U.S. military base in northern Iraq injured three American service members, one critically, authorities said.
The Pentagon retaliated later Monday by launching three strikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
Also on Monday, a suspected Israeli airstrike killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard general in Syria, Seyed Razi Mousavi, drawing threats of retaliation from Tehran.
And with Iran getting closer to a potential nuclear weapon, concerns remained that the Middle East was moving closer to a broader armed conflict.
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