4 'big guys' issue joint statement condemning Iran for increasing uranium enrichment
(Baonghean.vn) - France, Germany, the UK and the US on December 28 condemned Iran's acceleration of uranium production to 60% purity, approaching the threshold for use as fuel for nuclear weapons.
In a joint statement, the allies did not mention any consequences Iran might face for increasing production, but called for a reversal of that trend and said they remained “committed to a diplomatic solution” to Tehran’s nuclear program.
“There is no credible civilian justification for Iran to produce highly enriched uranium,” the statement said. “These decisions represent reckless behavior in an already tense regional environment.”
Since Israel began its offensive against Hamas, which rules Gaza, Iranian-backed proxies have stepped up attacks on ships in the Red Sea and on US troops in Iraq and Syria, raising tensions in the region.
Israel launched the operation in response to Hamas' fierce attack on Israel on October 7.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said in a report on December 26 that Iran has reversed a months-long slowdown in the rate of production of highly enriched uranium with a purity of up to 60%.
“We condemn this action, which contributes to the continued escalation of Iran’s nuclear program,” the joint statement said.
Iran on December 27 dismissed the IAEA report as “nothing new” and said it was carrying out its program “according to the rules.”
According to the IAEA's theoretical definition, Tehran now possesses enough 60% pure uranium, which, if enriched to 90% purity, would be enough to make three nuclear bombs.
For its part, Iran has denied seeking to possess nuclear weapons.
Britain, France and Germany remain parties to the 2015 deal, which was designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Former US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord in 2018, after which Iran gradually breached its strict regulations.