USA: 'Deeply Concerned' About Iran's Nuclear Tensions

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said on Friday to the Persian section of Voice of America that the United States is 'deeply concerned' about Iran's announcement to continue escalating tensions instead of cooperating with the agency. The spokesperson stated, 'Iran's continued production and accumulation of uranium enriched to 60% has no credible civilian justification.' He reminded that the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency has explicitly stated that Iran must provide full cooperation with the IAEA without delay to resolve issues related to its legal obligations that have remained unresolved for over five years. These remarks come as Britain and France also expressed concern on Friday about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Nicolas Lerner, head of France's foreign intelligence service, stated that Iran's escalating nuclear activities will be 'the most significant threat' in the coming months. Speaking alongside his British counterpart, he emphasized that 'our organizations are working together to address what is undoubtedly one of the most significant threats in the coming months.' Richard Moore, head of Britain's MI6, also regarded Iran's nuclear ambitions as a major security threat to the world. On Friday, December 9, in Paris, Moore said, 'Iran-aligned militias across the Middle East have suffered heavy blows. However, the regime's nuclear ambitions continue to threaten us all.' These comments from the MI6 chief come as senior diplomats from Britain, Germany, and France, along with the EU's senior coordinator, are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, with Iranian diplomats to discuss the possibility of serious negotiations to reduce regional tensions and review Iran's nuclear program. The aim of this meeting is to explore ways to de-escalate tensions before Donald Trump's presidency begins. Meanwhile, on Friday, AFP reported that it had seen a copy of a report indicating that the IAEA has confirmed that the Islamic Republic intends to install about 6,000 new centrifuges for uranium enrichment. EU member states and the United States have repeatedly criticized Iran for sending drones and ballistic missiles to Russia, its role in escalating tensions in the Middle East, and widespread human rights violations in Iran. They have imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and companies. Earlier, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said on Monday, December 5, at a press conference that the Biden administration is not participating, even indirectly, in negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the three remaining European countries in the JCPOA. In response to a question from a Voice of America Persian section reporter about whether Washington would be present at this meeting and what its expectations were, Miller said, 'No, we will not join these negotiations. We are closely coordinating with our three European partners regarding the full implementation of Iran's nuclear safeguards obligations and holding Iran accountable for its failure to meet these obligations.' He stated, 'We have clearly stated that Iran must fully cooperate with the IAEA without further delay, and therefore we will continue close coordination with the governments of France, Germany, and Britain.'