European Powers Condemn Iran's Nuclear Program Development

The three countries of Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement condemning the recent actions of the Islamic Republic in developing its nuclear program and calling for an immediate reversal of this trend and a halt to the expansion of Iran's nuclear activities. The statement, released on Monday, December 10, cites a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemning the significant increase of enriched uranium to 60% at the underground Fordow facility by the Iranian government. These three Western powers expressed serious concern over the increase in the number of centrifuges used and the groundwork for installing infrastructure for further enrichment, assessing it as a step towards increasing the Islamic Republic's enrichment capacity. The statement noted that the European Troika emphasized their commitment to dialogue and constructive behavior during a meeting with Iranian officials last week regarding Iran's nuclear program and sanctions. Britain, France, and Germany stated in their statement: 'The actions of the Islamic Republic have further hollowed out the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA and increased the stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which has no valid civilian justification.' The statement also mentioned that the recent actions of the Islamic Republic occurred before the necessary protective measures were implemented by the IAEA. Reuters reported on December 8, citing 'a Western diplomatic source,' that the increase in the amount of uranium enriched to 60% by the Iranian government was deemed 'very serious.' According to this unnamed source, this action by the Islamic Republic 'has no valid civilian justification and, conversely, could directly fuel a military nuclear program if [the government] decides to do so.' This Western diplomatic source added that the actions of the Islamic Republic are contradictory to the government's statements about readiness to return to negotiations. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department also expressed deep concern about Iran's nuclear activities on December 8, stating: 'We are deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the Islamic Republic's nuclear tensions and lack of cooperation with the IAEA. The production and accumulation of uranium enriched to 60% has no valid civilian justification.' Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, stated in an interview with Reuters that 'Iran's capacity to produce 60% enriched uranium is significantly increasing.' On the other hand, the Islamic Republic announced that it will now use 20% enriched uranium instead of 5% in two cascades of centrifuges at Fordow. The IAEA report warned that these changes could affect the intensity and frequency of mandatory inspections of the Fordow facility. Grossi: The Iranian government is significantly increasing its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. U.S. concerns about the Islamic Republic's move towards nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic's efforts to conceal remnants of the Taleqan 2 site. Reuters report on the increase of 60% enriched uranium by the Iranian government. U.S. concerns about the expansion of Iran's space and ballistic missile programs.