Concerns from the U.S. and the European Union about the Islamic Republic: The risk of nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing

The U.S. delegation to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed deep concern on Wednesday, September 12, regarding the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic. The European Union delegation also emphasized that the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing due to the escalation of activities by the Islamic Republic. According to the U.S. delegation's statement, 'Iran continues to move further down the wrong path instead of addressing the concerns of the international community.' The statement mentioned that the Islamic Republic continues to develop its nuclear program, install advanced centrifuge cascades, and produce highly enriched uranium that has no credible peaceful purpose. The U.S. delegation added that the production of 60% enriched uranium by the Islamic Republic is inconsistent with the behavior of other non-nuclear NPT member states. This delegation emphasized that if the Islamic Republic is interested in building trust regarding what it calls the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, it must reduce its 60% enriched uranium stockpile and halt its production. The statement further noted that the Islamic Republic is 'obstructing' on safeguard issues and is refusing to fulfill its legal obligations under its modified Code 3.1. The U.S. delegation stated that instead of providing more transparency, the Islamic Republic has halted the implementation of the Additional Protocol and cut off the Agency's awareness of the production of centrifuge components. This delegation insists that the Islamic Republic must fully and without further delay fulfill its legal safeguard obligations and provide complete transparency regarding its centrifuge enrichment activities to the International Atomic Energy Agency. In conclusion, the Islamic Republic is urged to take steps to gain international trust instead of undermining the Agency's ability to provide essential guarantees about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. The European Union delegation also emphasized in a statement that ensuring the Islamic Republic does not acquire nuclear weapons is a key security priority for the EU. This delegation's statement emphasizes that the EU remains committed to a diplomatic solution for the Islamic Republic's nuclear case. The EU delegation expressed regret over the lack of necessary actions by the Islamic Republic to return to its nuclear commitments under the framework of the JCPOA, to which the EU remains committed. The EU delegation stated that the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing due to the escalation of activities by the Islamic Republic. The statement noted that the Islamic Republic's relentless nuclear activities over the past five years have increasingly challenged the return to the JCPOA. The EU delegation indicated that the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is rising as a result of the escalation of activities by the Islamic Republic. This European delegation expressed concern over the continued expansion of Tehran's nuclear program, noting that the Islamic Republic has 'severely' deviated from its commitments under the JCPOA and has reached irreversible knowledge. The statement adds that the significant accumulation of highly enriched uranium and the expansion of the Islamic Republic's enrichment capabilities and operations, including the installation of thousands of additional advanced centrifuges, is alarming. The EU delegation emphasized that such actions raise serious questions about the purpose of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, as there is no credible civilian justification. On September 29, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported in a confidential report that the Islamic Republic has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to 'near weapons-grade' levels by defying international demands. The report stated that the amount of 60% enriched uranium held by the Islamic Republic reached a total of 164.7 kilograms by August 18, 2024, which is an increase of over 22 kilograms compared to the previous report in April 2024. According to experts, converting 60% enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium at 90% purity requires only 'a short technical step.' The Agency noted in its report that the Iranian government has not yet reviewed its previous decision to prohibit inspectors from visiting its nuclear program, and the Agency's monitoring cameras remain disrupted. In another part of the report, it was mentioned that on August 9, the Agency requested access to centrifuge production facilities in Isfahan to service its monitoring cameras, but has yet to receive a response from Tehran. According to the Agency's report, the Islamic Republic has not yet responded to long-standing questions about the origin and location of man-made uranium particles at two previously unreported sites, Varamin and Torqozabad. The Islamic Republic has always claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western countries continue to express their concerns about Tehran's decreasing cooperation with the Agency and the increasing nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic.