The US State Department announced on Thursday that Washington and its allies are prepared to increase pressure on Iran if Tehran does not cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog. This statement follows a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicating that Iran has rapidly installed additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its Fordo site and is setting up more.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the IAEA report highlights Iran’s intention to expand its nuclear program in ways that lack any credible peaceful purpose. “If Iran implements these plans, we will respond accordingly,” Miller stated, though no further details were provided.
Iran is continuing to expand its nuclear capabilities, the IAEA reported, just one week after the agency’s board of governors passed a resolution criticizing Tehran’s lack of cooperation. A diplomatic source described the development as “moderate.”
A cascade refers to a series of centrifuges used in the uranium enrichment process.
Last week, Britain, France, and Germany brought forth a motion demanding better cooperation from Iran with the IAEA’s 35-nation board, the first such measure since November 2022. China and Russia opposed the motion.
The resolution, which Iran criticized as “hasty and unwise,” comes amid concerns over Iran’s escalating nuclear activities and fears from Western powers that Tehran may be aiming to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran denies. Israel has long maintained that it will not allow Iran, which openly calls for Israel’s destruction, to possess nuclear weapons.
