Iran announces advancements in its nuclear program, raising global concerns and sparking discussions about regional security and international diplomacy.
Iran has fulfilled its promise to enhance its nuclear program following the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passing a resolution that criticized the country. On Sunday, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, announced that Tehran has launched new advanced centrifuges for nuclear enrichment.
At its board of governors meeting on Thursday, the UN atomic watchdog adopted a resolution criticizing Iran for insufficient transparency regarding its nuclear activities. Despite opposition from China, Russia, and Burkina Faso, the motion passed with 19 votes in favor. According to AFP sources, there were 12 abstentions and Venezuela did not participate in the vote. In a joint statement prior to the meeting, the UK, France, and Germany expressed concern that Iran’s nuclear program represents a “threat” to international security. Additionally, Washington labeled Iran’s nuclear activities as “deeply troubling.”
Ghalibaf informed parliament that the resolution highlights the West’s “politically impractical and harmful stance” towards Iran’s nuclear program. He alleged that nations such as the US are using Iran’s nuclear activities as a justification for their own “unlawful actions” and asserted that this initiative, led by these countries, undermines the credibility and independence of the IAEA.
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“Their dishonesty and bad faith have undermined the constructive environment we were fostering for enhanced cooperation between Iran and the agency. These politically motivated and unproductive decisions compel countries to adopt measures beyond IAEA protocols to protect their national security,” Ghalibaf declared, before announcing that Tehran would implement advanced centrifuge systems for uranium enrichment as a response.
He called on IAEA member states to resist Western influence within the agency and emphasized that international nuclear cooperation should occur in an impartial framework.
Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Mohsen Naziri Asl, previously described the IAEA resolution as “politically motivated.”
For many years, Western nations have alleged that Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts are secretly aimed at developing nuclear weapons, although Tehran maintains its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. The 2015 agreement between Iran and global powers imposed restrictions on the program in return for lifting sanctions; however, this deal unraveled following the United States’ withdrawal in 2018. Since then, Iran has advanced its enrichment capabilities significantly and according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, it is now nearing the level necessary for weaponization.
During his visit to Tehran earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned Grossi that Iran would respond if the IAEA board adopted a resolution against it. Araghchi indicated that Tehran is prepared to renegotiate the 2015 agreement, provided that the West is open to establishing a new deal with mutually beneficial terms.
