U.S. State Department: The Islamic Republic is not allowed to acquire nuclear weapons

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department reiterated the United States' maximum pressure campaign to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating: "Donald Trump's statements on this matter are clear: the United States will not allow [the government of] Iran to possess nuclear weapons." This spokesperson, in response to Voice of America regarding the warning from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency about the increase in enriched uranium reserves of the Islamic Republic of Iran, added: "As directed in the President's National Security Memorandum, the United States will use maximum pressure to end the nuclear threat from [the government of] Iran." Donald Trump resumed the maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 5 by signing an executive order. According to this directive, with the return of maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, its pathways to acquiring nuclear weapons will be blocked and its destructive influence outside the country will be countered. Another part of this directive states that Donald Trump will not tolerate the Islamic Republic's possession of nuclear weapon capabilities and its ongoing support for terrorism, especially against U.S. interests. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned on Friday, February 16, about the sharp increase in the Islamic Republic's enriched uranium reserves, emphasizing that the opportunity to revive the JCPOA is running out. The spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council responded to this warning, stating that Donald Trump has emphasized the continuation of maximum pressure against the Islamic Republic and is committed to ensuring that "this regime" never acquires nuclear weapons. Brian Hughes told Voice of America that Donald Trump is also ready to negotiate with Iran to reach an agreement that resolves all outstanding issues between the two countries. Despite widespread opposition from the international community, the Islamic Republic continues to enrich uranium to 60% and is not far from the 90% enrichment needed to produce nuclear weapons. According to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Islamic Republic is in the process of increasing its monthly production of 60% enriched uranium sevenfold and is likely to increase its 60% enriched uranium stockpile to 250 kilograms by the time of the Agency's quarterly report next month. According to the Agency's criteria, this amount of uranium, if the purity is increased, is sufficient to produce six nuclear bombs. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in a recent press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the biggest threat and behind all terrorist actions in the region. Members of the G7, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have also explicitly condemned the destabilizing actions of the Islamic Republic in a statement. Grossi: The Islamic Republic is seeking to "sevenfold" increase the production of 60% enriched uranium. The U.S.: Under "maximum pressure," Iran's oil exports will again reach 100,000 barrels per day. U.S. lawmakers have called for Europe to follow the "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic. Levitt: Trump will never allow the Islamic Republic access to nuclear weapons.