The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has voiced grave concerns over Iran’s plan to ramp up its uranium enrichment program. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the agency’s head, warned on Friday that the installation of 6,000 new centrifuges could significantly increase Iran’s stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium.
Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Grossi stated that Iran’s enrichment activities, currently at 60%, are already nearing the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material.
“If these centrifuges are fully operational, it will represent a substantial escalation,” Grossi cautioned. “This is a very serious development.”
Space Rocket Launch Fuels Criticism
Tensions escalated further with Iran’s launch of its Simorgh rocket, which carried its heaviest payload to date. While Tehran claims the space program is peaceful, critics suggest such advancements could enhance its ballistic missile capabilities.
Western officials have expressed mounting apprehension. MI6 chief Richard Moore described Iran’s nuclear program as a “persistent threat,” even as its regional allies face setbacks in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza.
Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled his intention to reinstate the “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran, which could involve renewed sanctions. Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term, reversing one of President Barack Obama’s key foreign policy achievements.
Grossi’s warning underscores growing fears about Iran’s nuclear trajectory and its broader implications for international stability.