Blinken: Iran is Only One to Two Weeks Away from Producing Materials Necessary for Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. Secretary of State says Iran is only 'one or two weeks' away from producing materials necessary for making nuclear weapons. Antony Blinken stated on Friday, July 19, that 'since the nuclear agreement has been set aside, Iran is now likely only one or two weeks away from being able to produce fissile materials for nuclear weapons, instead of being at least a year away.' According to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity, close to the 90% needed for weapons, and if further enriched, it has enough material to produce three nuclear weapons. Western powers claim there is no credible civilian reason for Iran's increased uranium enrichment. Tehran asserts that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, but Iranian officials have recently indicated that if Iran is attacked or its existence is threatened by Israel, it may reconsider its 'nuclear doctrine.' Germany, Britain, and France called on Iran to cease its nuclear escalation and return to its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after a Security Council meeting on Resolution 2231 on June 24. The IAEA Director General stated on June 18 that the JCPOA now only 'exists on paper and has no meaning.' Rafael Grossi emphasized, 'No one is adhering to it. No one is following it.'