The U.S. Says It Will Respond Appropriately to Iran's Expansion of Uranium Enrichment Capacity

On Thursday, June 14, the U.S. State Department spokesperson reacted to a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding Iran's decision to install new centrifuges at the Fordow nuclear site. The IAEA announced on the same day that Iran is rapidly installing additional IR-6 centrifuges in response to a resolution from the Board of Governors. Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, stated, "Today's IAEA report indicates that Iran intends to continue expanding its nuclear program in ways that do not have a credible peaceful purpose." The spokesperson emphasized that such planned actions further undermine the Islamic Republic's claims about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. He added, "If Iran proceeds with these plans, we will respond appropriately." Miller also stated, "Iran must cooperate with the Agency without further delay and fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations." This U.S. official noted that as long as the Islamic Republic does not fulfill its legal obligations, the IAEA Board of Governors will continue to seek accountability from the country. The spokesperson further mentioned, "We are in complete coordination with our partners and allies and are prepared to continue increasing pressure on Iran if it continues to fail to cooperate with the Agency." Reuters reported that the IAEA stated on Thursday that Iran informed the Agency on June 9 and 10 that it would install eight cascades containing 174 IR-6 centrifuges in Unit 1 of the Fordow enrichment facility within three to four weeks. According to the IAEA report, Iran completed two new cascades of IR-6 centrifuges by June 22. The IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution on June 6, calling on the Islamic Republic to "immediately" respond to inspectors' questions regarding the origin of uranium particles discovered at its undeclared sites. Iran has previously reacted to Board resolutions, and following the adoption of the previous Board resolution in 2022, it raised its uranium enrichment level to 60%, nearing the level required for nuclear weapons production. The resolution against Iran was adopted on June 6 with 20 votes in favor, while China and Russia opposed it, and 12 countries abstained. This resolution deemed the presence of experienced Agency inspectors in inspections of Iran's nuclear activities as "vital" and called on Tehran to lift the ban on these inspectors' activities. In a confidential report, the Agency stated, "On June 11, 2024, the Agency verified that Iran had completed the installation of IR-6 centrifuges in two cascades in Unit 1 at Fordow." The IR-6 is one of the most advanced centrifuge models in Iran's nuclear facilities. Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing diplomats, that the Islamic Republic's response to the IAEA Board resolution was "not as much as many feared." Ali Bagheri Kani, the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated on Sunday, "The issuance of a political resolution at the Agency will have no effect on Tehran's determination to continue the peaceful use of nuclear energy and operationalize its nuclear development plans." Bagheri Kani emphasized that Iran "will continue to cooperate with the Agency within the framework of its rights and obligations under the NPT and the safeguards agreement."