A U.S. State Department Spokesperson: We Are Aware of the IAEA Director General's Statements on the Slowdown of Uranium Enrichment in Iran

The U.S. State Department did not directly respond to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America regarding whether the slowdown in Iran's 60% uranium enrichment is linked to Washington's decision to retaliate for the recent attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan. However, a spokesperson for the department stated that the Biden administration is aware of the comments made by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and appreciates his efforts for verification, oversight of Iran's nuclear program, and resolution of remaining safeguards issues. The spokesperson reiterated that the U.S. government believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran has developed its nuclear activities in a way that has no civilian justification. He noted that the Biden administration has urged the Iranian government to take actions in all areas to reduce tensions, including halting the production and stockpiling of high-enriched uranium. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, stated that Iran continues to increase its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, but this increase, which began right after Israel's military action in Gaza, has now slightly decreased. In an interview with The New York Times, he mentioned that 'the Islamic Republic can now quickly reach the level required for nuclear weapon production' and added, 'the slowdown in uranium enrichment in Iran is likely a sign of Tehran's efforts to reduce confrontation with the United States following recent events in the Middle East.'