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A senior Iranian official has hinted at the country’s readiness to revisit and potentially implement a 90 percent uranium enrichment program in response to any future military aggression from Western nations, including the United States. The announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and its adversaries.
Spokesperson for the Iranian National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Ebrahim Rezaei, made the remarks during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, where legislators were debating the country’s military strategy. Rezaei’s comments have sparked concern among US diplomats and military officials, who remain committed to their long-standing policy of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Under the terms of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran is currently limited to enriching uranium to 3.67 percent. This cap is set to be reviewed at the forthcoming talks on reviving the JCPOA, slated for later this month in Vienna.
However, according to Rezaei, Iran’s parliament is prepared to give green light to increasing enrichment levels to 90 percent – a level typically associated with the production of fuel for nuclear warheads. This move would represent a significant escalation of tensions with the international community.
“It’s one of the options on the table,” Rezaei noted during the parliamentary session, though did not provide further details on whether the measure would be implemented immediately or considered a response to be triggered only in the event of a specific provocation.
International leaders have expressed alarm at the suggestion, cautioning that any move away from the current limits on enrichment could lead to the collapse of talks on the JCPOA’s revocation. European diplomats have called on Iran to demonstrate restraint and maintain confidence in the international community, citing ongoing efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
The Iranian government continues to insist that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, despite concerns about its military dimensions. Western officials, however, remain highly skeptical of the country’s intentions.
Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, has emphasized that the country’s sovereignty would be defended at all costs. However, diplomats and officials in the region remain uncertain about the potential consequences of heightened tensions.
With no clear resolution to the ongoing conflict, tensions between Iran and its adversaries are set to continue, further underscoring the precarious state of global security politics.