A senior Iranian lawmaker has jolted the international community with claims that Iran could rapidly escalate its nuclear capabilities to weapons-grade levels, intensifying concerns about the Middle Eastern power’s intentions and the region’s stability.
After the 2015 international agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear activities fell apart, Iran has significantly expanded its nuclear program. This expansion has decreased the time required for Iran to potentially develop a nuclear bomb. The deal had promised to limit Iran’s nuclear pursuits in exchange for lifting international sanctions.
Tensions between Israel and Iran, marked by tit-for-tat missile strikes, have heightened concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, is intensifying efforts to scrutinize Tehran’s nuclear activities. Despite Iran’s insistence on the peaceful nature of its intentions, there are growing calls for transparency.
Javad Karimi-Ghodousi, a former military commander and member of Iran’s national security commission, made alarming statements on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He claimed that Iran possesses the technical capability to enrich uranium up to 90 percent purity, suitable for warheads, within a remarkably short time frame, possibly as little as half a day or up to a week. He also mentioned that the IAEA is cognizant of Iran’s capabilities.
Karimi-Ghodousi referenced remarks attributed to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicating that Iran would respond to threats proportionately. These statements were reported by Iranian journalist Khosro K Isfahani on social media platform X in Farsi.
According to Isfahani’s post, Karimi-Ghodousi further warned that if the EU and the U.S. do not comply with Iran’s demands, Iran will not only proceed to acquire nuclear weapons but also enhance its missile capabilities. He suggested that Iran would extend its missile range to exceed 10,000 km (6,200 miles), potentially putting European countries within striking distance.
In response to concerning remarks made on April 18 by Ahmad Haghtalab, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander overseeing nuclear security, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is scheduled to hold discussions with senior Iranian officials in May. Haghtalab’s statements, reported by Tasnim news agency and referenced by Reuters, suggested a potential reassessment of Iran’s nuclear strategy due to perceived threats posed by Israel against its nuclear facilities.
Haghtalab refrained from providing additional specifics but issued a caution that any assault on Iranian nuclear installations would be met with retaliation. Earlier this month, in response to an Israeli strike in Syria resulting in the deaths of two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp. commanders, Iran launched a barrage of 300 drones and missiles towards Israel. Subsequently, Israel responded with a scaled-down counterattack.
Bloomberg reported IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressing concern on Wednesday regarding the remarks made by a prominent Iranian figure like Haghtalab, stating, “The Middle East is in a very fragile situation.” The IAEA’s latest quarterly report revealed Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, originally limited to 202.8 kg under the 2015 agreement, had surged to 5.5 tonnes by February. The report also indicated that Tehran’s “breakout time” to generate sufficient weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb has likely been reduced to a matter of weeks or even days.
Relevant articles:
– Iran needs ‘one week’ to build nuclear weapon, official claims, newsweek.com, 04/26/2024
– Senior Iranian Regime Officials Warn Of Iran’s Coming Nuclear Breakout, Middle East Media Research Institute, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:12:20 GMT
– Iranian Lawmaker Hints At A Nuclear Test, ایران اینترنشنال, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:56:00 GMT
– Iran nuclear bomb fears as UN watchdog warns soaring uranium levels ‘raising eyebrows’, Express, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:05:00 GMT
– Iran Plans To Build More Nuclear Plants, ایران اینترنشنال, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:57:12 GMT