Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff: The Islamic Republic is only months away from producing nuclear weapons

General Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the Islamic Republic is only months away from producing nuclear weapons. During a meeting with members of the U.S. Senate Defense Committee, Milley said, "The Islamic Republic can prepare the necessary materials to produce a nuclear weapon within two weeks whenever it decides, and build a nuclear weapon a few months later." He emphasized that the United States will not allow the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear weapons, adding that Iranian leaders are simultaneously supporting terrorists and proxy forces while attempting to achieve nuclear weapon production capability, jeopardizing peace in the Middle East and beyond. President Joe Biden had previously asserted that his administration would not allow the Islamic Republic to obtain nuclear weapons. On May 4, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor, stated that Iran does not have nuclear weapons today and cannot have them. Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, remarked last Thursday that Iran's progress in uranium enrichment to 90 percent could ignite the region. Indirect nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resumed two years ago, but while it was said that the two countries were close to an agreement, negotiations stalled after the inauguration of President Ebrahim Raisi and were completely halted last September. Since the protests seven months ago in Iran, the United States has announced that these negotiations are no longer a priority for the Biden administration. In recent months, the Islamic Republic has once again reduced its commitments to the JCPOA, including announcing an increase in uranium enrichment above 80 percent. Previously, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the Agency, had also stated that this level of uranium enrichment is not far from the 90 percent level required for nuclear weapon production. Sullivan reiterated that the Biden administration will not allow the Islamic Republic access to nuclear weapons.