Latest news with #nuclear
LBCI
2 hours ago
- General
- LBCI
Iran steps up production of highly enriched uranium: IAEA
Iran has stepped up the production of highly enriched uranium in recent months, according to a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, seen by AFP on Saturday. The agency spoke of "serious concern" that Iran had increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent between February and mid-May and criticized "less than satisfactory" cooperation from Tehran over its scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program. AFP
LBCI
2 hours ago
- General
- LBCI
Israel says UN report shows Iran intent on getting atomic bomb
Israel on Saturday accused Iran of being determined to acquire nuclear weapons, after a U.N. report said the Islamic republic had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. The report was a "clear warning sign" that "Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever." AFP
LBCI
2 hours ago
- General
- LBCI
IAEA report says Iran had secret activities with undeclared nuclear material
Iran previously carried out secret nuclear activities with material not declared to the U.N. nuclear watchdog at three locations that have long been under investigation, the watchdog said in a wide-ranging, confidential report to member states seen by Reuters. The International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that "these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material", the "comprehensive" report requested by the IAEA's Board of Governors in November said.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Iran condemns Austria over report on advanced nuclear weapons program
Jerusalem – Iran angrily lashed out at Austria's government Friday after Fox News Digital reported on a document asserting that Tehran has developed an advanced nuclear weapons program that can launch long-range missiles. The explosive report from Austria's version of the FBI—the Directorate State Protection and Intelligence Service—provides a specialized window into the Iranian regime's illicit atomic weapons program and its espionage activities in the central European country. Fox News Digital was the first news organization to report on the Iran sections of the report on Wednesday, sparking a major diplomatic row between the Islamic Republic and Austria. "The Iranian nuclear weapons development program is well advanced, and Iran possesses a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long distances," the Austrian domestic intelligence agency report stated. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, denounced the Austrian intelligence agency "for spreading lies," and called on the Austrian government to "provide an official explanation regarding the irresponsible, provocative, and destructive act by one of its official institutions," according to the Ministry's website. Tehran-based Austrian diplomat Michaela Pacher was summoned to the Iranian foreign ministry, according to the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. "[Pacher] took this opportunity to reiterate Austria's and the EU's position on the Iranian nuclear program," Austrian officials said in a statement. "This position was most recently expressed to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency." Austria expressed support for an EU statement along with other countries in March. "Iran already accumulated more than six significant quantities of 60% enriched material [which the Agency defines as the approximate amount of nuclear material for which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded] and is currently producing one significant quantity of highly enriched uranium every month," noted the EU statement. The EU statement added that "All these actions carry very significant proliferation-related risks and raise grave concerns about Iran's intentions, since they have no credible civilian justification. In this context, the EU remains concerned by statements made by Iranian officials about Iran's capacity to assemble a nuclear weapon." The shocking Austrian intelligence findings contradict the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has "undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so." There have long been conflicting views (between U.S. intelligence agencies and European intelligence services) over Iran's illegal nuclear weapons program. The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the Austrian report. "President Trump is committed to Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one," a White House official said. The Austrian report coincides with a new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report. The AP reported on Saturday that Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agency's probe. The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks in the past weeks over a possible nuclear deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to reach. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. A report in February put the stockpile at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds). The IAEA report raised a stern warning, saying that Iran is now "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material" — something the agency said was of "serious concern." In February, Fox News Digital reported that the IAEA said Iran has sufficient enriched uranium to manufacture six nuclear weapons. "The Islamic Republic is the standard-bearer of deception and stonewalling. Today's damning IAEA reports confirm how Iran has been in violation of the NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] for years, even when the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] was in effect. It shows the regime cannot be trusted with any diplomatic agreement," said Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). The JCPOA is the formal name for the Iran nuclear deal that was concluded between the Obama administration and Iran. President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 because, his administration said at the time, the deal did not prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. "I think Iran's regime's response to Austria's findings shows its sensitivity over these matters," Brodsky said. "It also wants to bully Austria. Austria should force the Iranian regime to decrease the size of its embassy in Vienna which it has long used as a hub for malign intelligence collection and operations throughout Europe." The clerical regime's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, posted on his X account a statement in response to the Fox News Digital report. "Media is speculating about an imminent Iran-U.S. deal. Not sure if we are there yet," he wrote. "Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. "But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights—including enrichment. Path to a deal goes through the negotiating table and not the media." The U.S. talks to dismantle Iran's illicit atomic weapons program coincides with a nationwide truckers' strike in Iran. The widespread labor unrest could severely weaken the regime, according to Iran experts. The exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the U.S, called on U.S. labor unions to stand with Iranian truckers. "Truck drivers and workers across Iran are on strike and are putting their lives on the line to fight for their rights and for a better future for their families," Pahlavi, who lives in the U.S, wrote on X. "Now, they are being jailed and threatened for posting photos and videos of their strike. Only in a free Iran will all workers have the right to freely and openly organize. I invite you, labor unions and leaders, to stand with your fellow workers in Iran and show your solidarity."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iran boosting enriched Uranium stockpiles, U.N. nuclear watchdog says
May 31 (UPI) -- Iran has increased production of highly enriched uranium, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, as the nation conducts talks with the United States on a nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Middle East country now possesses more than 408.6 kilograms, or 900 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity as of May 17, according to a confidential report obtained by the BBC and Al Jazeera. That's a nearly 50% increase since February. In December, the IAEA said Iran was rapidly moving closer to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material. This is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined. Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. "The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran ... is of serious concern," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said. IAEA concluded that Tehran conducted nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, Turquzabad. And IAEA stated said it "cannot verify" the development of nuclear weapons, citing Iran's refusal to grant access to senior inspectors and not answer questions about its nuclear history. The IAEA board plans to meet in the coming days to discuss next steps. Iran has long said its nuclear enrichment is for peaceful purposes. "If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised speech. "We agree with them on this issue." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday in a statement that Iran is "totally determined" to acquire nuclear weapons. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever," Netanyahu's office said. U.S. officials estimate Ian could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months. Since talks began in April, both sides have expressed optimism but are divided over key issues, including whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement. Two of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisors -- Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi -- have suggested Iran might reconsider building nuclear weapons if international pressure mounts. The IAEA findings could be a negotiation tool for Iran, Hamed Mousavi, professor of political science at Tehran University, told Al Jazeera. "I think both sides are trying to build leverage against the other side," he said. "From the Iranian perspective, an advancement in the nuclear program is going to bring them leverage at the negotiation table with the Americans. "Enriching up to 60% - from the Iranian perspective - is a sort of leverage against the Americans to lift sanctions." He said the U.S. could threaten more sanctions and refer the situation to the U.N. Security Council for its breach of the 2006 non-proliferation agreement. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of labs and inspections. Iran has rejected inspections. He said a deal is "very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed." In 2018, Trump unilaterally exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and reimposed harsh sanctions. In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union. Some sanctions on Iran were lifted for limits on its nuclear development program.
