The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, December 26, focused on the increase in the speed and level of uranium enrichment in Iran in an article by Lawrence Norman, while at the same time, the semi-militants supported by the Islamic Republic attacked Israel and the United States, as the factor for deepening the gap between Tehran and the West.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that the International Atomic Energy Agency has sent a statement to member countries stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran has reversed its months-long decline in uranium enrichment levels, now reaching purity levels of up to 60%, close to weapon-grade.
Lawrence Norman wrote in response to this issue: “Iran’s decision to triple its production of uranium to near weapon-grade purity reflects the failure of Washington’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions with Tehran.”
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The Wall Street Journal analyst emphasized: “Iran is the only country in the world producing 60% enriched uranium without being declared a nuclear power; uranium that, according to US officials, can be used in a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks. This is in a situation where the West has repeatedly warned that Iran’s high-purity uranium enrichment could spark a crisis leading to increased economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran. On the other hand, Israel has warned that if Tehran starts producing 90% enriched uranium, it may take military action against Iran.”
Furthermore, in the context of the indirect talks between the senior officials of the US and Iran in Oman, the hope was created that the US could reduce tensions and prevent a crisis before the November 2024 elections. Various stages of US diplomacy with Tehran were outlined, including the exchange of prisoners in September, the cessation of semi-militants supported by Iran attacking US forces in the region, and the restriction of Iran’s nuclear program, especially the drastic reduction or cessation of high-purity uranium production.
Following these negotiations, the Islamic Republic reduced the speed of production of highly pure uranium in June. In return, the United States was ready to provide Iran with access to billions of dollars that had been blocked under US sanctions. Washington also sent messages that it would not intensify oil sanctions against Iran and was ready to resume negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.
These indirect talks were supposed to take place in Oman from mid-October, but the United States canceled them after Tehran supported Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.
The report further stated: “In the current situation, a US State Department spokesperson said that the US government is strongly concerned about the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report, as Iran has no legitimate non-nuclear justification for enriching up to 60%. He emphasized that the escalation of nuclear tensions with Iran at a time when the Islamic Republic and its semi-militant groups supported by it continue dangerous and destabilizing activities in the region is more concerning than ever, and that Tehran must fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
The Wall Street Journal concluded: “The acceleration of Iran’s nuclear program, simultaneous with the intensified instability across the region due to the war between Hamas and Israel, creates another potential crisis between Tehran and Washington. Moreover, Iranian proxy attacks in Iraq and Syria against US forces continue almost daily, and in addition, the Islamic Republic continues to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine.”
With all these considerations, US officials say that the scope of Iran-related activities in the region and beyond has led to more intense discussions in the Biden administration on how to confront Tehran in the coming months, if the Gaza conflict ends. They are heard louder than ever before, as although parts of the Biden administration still favor finding diplomatic solutions to reduce the range of tensions with Tehran, voices that believe that the semi-militant attacks by Tehran have reached an unprecedented level and must be dealt with more seriously than ever before, are also stronger.