Iran Produces 60% Enriched Uranium at Fordow Nuclear Facility... "Preparing Strong Retaliation"

Opposition to IAEA Resolution on Unreported Nuclear Facilities
US: "Cannot Accept Iran Achieving Nuclear Weapons Capability"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Iran announced that it has begun producing 60% enriched uranium, the stage just before nuclear weapon production, in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution calling for an investigation into undeclared nuclear materials within the country. While the United States and Western countries have condemned Iran's nuclear provocations, concerns are rising that the restoration talks of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) may collapse entirely.

On the 22nd (local time), Iran's semi-official news agency Fars reported that Iran has started producing 60% enriched uranium using the advanced centrifuge 'IR-6' at the underground Fordow nuclear facility. Uranium enriched to 60% is the immediate precursor concentration to the 90% enriched uranium used in nuclear weapons. Uranium enrichment at the Fordow facility itself violates the nuclear deal, and this production of enriched uranium is interpreted as a measure to pressure the West.

Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated in a press release, "This measure is a firm response to the adoption of the IAEA Board of Governors resolution," adding, "The resolution, driven by political intentions and pressure, will not change the approach toward Iran." Earlier, on the 17th, the IAEA passed a resolution urging investigation of three undeclared sites in Iran. Iran has refused inspections of these sites and expressed dissatisfaction toward Western countries.

Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also said at a press conference that "The IAEA resolution was led by the United States and the three European countries (United Kingdom, France, Germany) and is politically motivated," warning, "Iran's nuclear program is operated entirely for peaceful purposes, and Iran is prepared to take strong retaliatory measures against baseless suspicions."

Accordingly, concerns are growing that Iran may completely abandon the restoration talks of the nuclear deal and move toward possessing nuclear weapons. The IAEA currently estimates that Iran holds about 62.3 kg of uranium enriched up to 60%, and if enrichment reaches 90%, it could begin nuclear weapon production.

The U.S. government maintains a stance that it will not tolerate Iran possessing nuclear weapons. John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said at a press conference, "We are very concerned and closely monitoring Iran's nuclear development progress," emphasizing, "However, there has been no change in our policy, and we will never tolerate Iran having nuclear weapon capabilities."

The three Western countries?United Kingdom, France, and Germany?that participated in the nuclear deal restoration talks also criticized Iran's nuclear program operations. In a joint statement, the three countries said, "Iran's actions challenge the global nuclear non-proliferation regime," adding, "This situation, which carries significant nuclear proliferation risks, is unjustifiable."

As diplomatic tensions between Iran and the West deepen, concerns are emerging that the nuclear deal restoration talks themselves may collapse. Major foreign media, citing Western diplomats stationed in Iran, reported, "The prevailing expectation was that the nuclear deal restoration talks would resume after the U.S. midterm elections, but with the outbreak of anti-government protests in Iran, resumption has become practically difficult," and "Western countries are concerned that concluding the nuclear deal restoration talks could aid Iran's authoritarian regime and empower it to further suppress protesters."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.