The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, expressed serious concerns about Iran’s decision to increase the production of highly enriched uranium.
This uranium is close to the purity needed to make a nuclear weapon. Grossi called this move “very worrisome” because it raises the risk of Iran speeding up the process of building a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s uranium production has been growing, especially at the Fordow nuclear plant, where the rate of uranium enrichment has jumped significantly.
Grossi noted that Iran is now producing 34kg of uranium enriched to 60% every month, a huge increase from the 4.7kg it was making before.
While Iran insists it doesn’t have a military nuclear program, Grossi warned that the country’s nuclear capabilities are growing quickly. He said that if Iran chooses, it could have enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb faster than before.
Grossi also pointed out that some political groups in Iran are openly calling for the country to develop nuclear weapons, but he added that the current leadership seems to be avoiding that path.
However, he fears the growing nuclear tension could lead to serious consequences, including military retaliation and the risk of radiation leaks if Israel were to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. He stressed the need to avoid such conflicts, which could escalate dangerously.
The situation reflects a broader problem, where more countries are considering developing nuclear weapons, partly because established nuclear powers are modernizing their arsenals.
Grossi said that global nuclear non-proliferation efforts are under stress as other nations watch these developments and ask, “Why not us?” The growing talk of nuclear weapon development in various countries is concerning, especially with the ongoing conflicts around the world.
This growing concern around Iran’s nuclear activities highlights the fragile nature of global security. As Grossi told the BBC, “The Iran of 2015 is nothing like the Iran of 2025,” showing how quickly nuclear programs can expand.
It’s a worrying trend that demands careful monitoring and international cooperation to prevent further escalation .
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20ee6qylwgo