The International Atomic Energy Agency does not rule out the possibility that Iran is pursuing military objectives with its nuclear program. The US appears to be distancing itself from a renewed nuclear deal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again expressed concern about Iran's nuclear program. The agency cannot guarantee that Tehran pursues exclusively peaceful intentions with its nuclear policy, according to a report published Wednesday and obtained by several news agencies, including AFP and Reuters.
According to the IAEA, Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb. The regime possesses enough uranium enriched to 60 percent. An unnamed official from the agency said that the Iranians could produce 25 kilograms of uranium enriched to 90 percent "if they wanted to." This could be done within a period of up to four weeks. The IAEA could detect such a step within three days.
The regime in Tehran publicly denies any intention of building an atomic bomb. Nevertheless, it remains unwilling to cooperate in clarifying outstanding questions. The IAEA, for example, is demanding an explanation for the traces of uranium found at three sites. Another major point of contention is the re-establishment of strict oversight by the IAEA.
USA: Iran deal “off the table”
These points of contention appear irresolvable for the time being. US President Joe Biden (Democrat) was among the proponents of a renegotiated nuclear deal until recently. However, on Tuesday, news circulated that a new deal was "off the table" from the US perspective. Biden and other government officials conveyed this message to Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) in talks, according to the news site "Times of Israel," citing anonymous sources. No official statement has been released.
Under a new deal, Iran would be limited to enriching uranium to 3.67 percent by 2031, according to informed sources. It would have to abandon material with higher enrichment levels. Centrifuges used for uranium enrichment would be removed from their current sites and stored under IAEA supervision.
Israel criticizes the current form of the deal, arguing that it will once again provide Iran with massive revenues to finance terrorism against the Jewish state. Israel also views the time limitation of the restrictions critically.
