Iran announced on Friday the activation of a significant number of advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium, escalating its nuclear program following criticism from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move comes after IAEA’s board of governors passed a resolution urging Tehran to enhance its cooperation with the agency and address unresolved concerns about its nuclear activities.
Centrifuges, capable of enriching uranium at higher speeds and levels, were activated as part of Iran’s response to IAEA’s resolution. According to a joint statement from Iran’s foreign ministry and Atomic Energy Organization, the step is intended to “protect the country’s interests” and to further develop “peaceful nuclear energy” in line with national needs. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, denying allegations of pursuing a nuclear weapon.
A Defiant Response to International Pressure
IAEA resolution passed on Thursday, called for Iran to urgently comply with its obligations under international nuclear agreements. It also tasked Gency with providing a comprehensive assessment of Iran’s potential undeclared nuclear material and activities.
In response, Tehran criticized the resolution as politically motivated, accusing the United States and three European nations of exerting undue influence. Iran vowed to continue its technical cooperation with the IAEA but warned that a resolution could provoke further actions.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the resolution as a product of political pressure and insisted that its nuclear program comply with international regulations. “Steps we are taking,” the statement read, “are within our legal rights and aligned with our national priorities.”
Concerns Over Nuclear Weaponization
IAEA has raised alarms over Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the agency’s director general, recently stated that Iran possesses enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to produce multiple nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. Additionally, the IAEA has acknowledged that it cannot guarantee all centrifuges are accounted for, raising concerns about potential clandestine activities.
Israel, one of Iran’s staunchest critics, welcomed IAEA’s resolution. Israeli Defense Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it “a significant part of a diplomatic effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
Erosion of the 2015 Nuclear Deal
recent developments another chapter in unraveling the o015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. U the er JCPOA, Iran was restricted to operating older-model centrifuges and conducting limited research on advanced models.
However, the deal began to collapse after former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the OM agreement in 2018, reimposing harsh economic sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran gradually abandoned its commitments, accelerating its nuclear program.
By 2019, Iran had begun operating advanced centrifuges, a significant breach of the JCPOA. Recent U.S. assessments indicate that Iran’s “breakout time e”— time required to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon—has now been reduced to as little as one to two weeks.
Broader Implications
Iran’s activation of advanced centrifuges not only deepens concerns over its nuclear ambitions but also raises tensions in an already volatile region. IAEA’s efforts to ensure transparency and compliance are increasingly hindered, and the international community remains divided on how to address Iran’s nuclear program.
As diplomatic efforts to revive JCPOA falter, the risk of further escalation looms, with regional and global implications for security and non-proliferation efforts. Iran’s latest actions highlight ht challenges of navigating the complex intersection of diplomacy, enforcement, and geopolitical rivalries in addressing nuclear proliferation.
