The head of the UN nuclear agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that Iran is poised to significantly increase its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Grossi raised concerns over Tehran’s plan to install 6,000 advanced centrifuges, which could lead to a “huge jump” in uranium enrichment capacity.
Escalating Nuclear Capabilities
Iran currently enriches uranium at 60%, just below the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material. Grossi described the development as “very concerning,” adding that if all the new centrifuges are activated, it would mark a dramatic escalation in Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The warning comes as Iran successfully launched its Simorgh rocket, claiming peaceful space ambitions. However, critics argue that such advancements could bolster Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Broader Geopolitical Tensions
Last week, MI6 chief Richard Moore highlighted Iran’s continued nuclear ambitions as a regional and global threat, even as its allied militias in the Middle East face setbacks. Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to reinstate his “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran, a policy he pursued during his first term after withdrawing the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal brokered under Barack Obama.
Grossi’s remarks underscore growing international concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities and their potential implications for global security.