IAEA Accusation Sparks International Condemnation Over Iran's Expanding Nuclear Program

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has accused Iran of obstructing the inspection of its nuclear facilities. In a joint statement, France, Germany, and Britain have condemned Iran's recent steps to expand its nuclear program. The European countries disclosed that Iran has started operating dozens of advanced centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment site and plans to install thousands more at both the Natanz and Fordow sites. These countries have expressed significant concern over Tehran's actions, which include increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium and boosting production capacity at Fordow, an underground facility.

This development follows a confidential IAEA report distributed to its members two days ago. The report revealed that approximately 350 high-performance centrifuges have been activated at Fordow, with an additional 350 units in the process of being installed. The IAEA had previously called on Tehran to cooperate with inspectors, citing years of procrastination regarding questions about suspected secret nuclear activities.

Germany, France, and Britain have indirectly threatened to refer the issue to the UN Security Council if Iran does not provide satisfactory answers. Similarly, the US State Department has expressed serious concerns. Spokesman Matthew Miller highlighted that Iran's actions undermine its claims that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Miller emphasized the need for Iran to cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fulfill its legally binding obligations, warning that if Tehran implements the discussed steps, the response from the US and its allies will be commensurate.