White House National Security Advisor: Iran Does Not Have Nuclear Weapons Today and Cannot Have Them

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the White House, reiterated President Joe Biden's commitment to preventing the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Thursday, Mr. Sullivan stated that the U.S., along with its allies including Israel, will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. He criticized the previous U.S. administration for withdrawing from the JCPOA, stating that leaving the agreement without a replacement was a mistake. Sullivan added that President Biden has emphasized that Iran must not gain access to nuclear weapons. The National Security Advisor also mentioned that the United States will take necessary actions to ensure that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons, stating, 'They do not have [nuclear weapons] today and cannot have them.' In another part of his speech, referring to the Islamic Republic's activities in the Middle East, he said, 'We continue to send a clear message about the costs and consequences of Iran's excesses while simultaneously seeking a diplomatic outcome to contain Iran's nuclear program.' Sullivan's reference to the Islamic Republic's nuclear program came just hours after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed concerns about Iran's nuclear program, noting that Iran's progress in uranium enrichment to 90% could ignite the region. Indirect nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resumed two years ago, but while it was said that the two countries were close to an agreement, talks stalled following the rise of President Ebrahim Raisi and completely halted last September. Since the protests seven months ago in Iran, the United States has stated that these negotiations are no longer a priority for the Biden administration. In recent months, the Islamic Republic has again reduced its commitments to the JCPOA, including announcing an increase in uranium enrichment to over 80%. Previously, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the Agency, also stated that this level of uranium enrichment is not far from the 90% level required for nuclear weapon production. The verbal war between the commander of the Islamic Republic's army and the chief of staff of the Israeli army regarding an attack on Iran, the U.S. response to Axios's report: 'We do not respond to rumors, many of which are false,' a group of U.S. lawmakers proposed making sanctions on Iran permanent, Netanyahu: 'I will not allow Iran to throw a 'rope of terror' around Israel,' and the U.S. Secretary of State: 'We are determined to disrupt Iran's military supply program.'