Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday, June 12, citing diplomats, that the Iranian regime has expanded its uranium enrichment capacity at two of its underground sites in response to a resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On June 5, the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution calling on the Iranian regime to “immediately” answer the questions from IAEA inspectors about the origin of uranium particles found at its undeclared sites.
The Iranian regime has previously responded to IAEA Board of Governors’ resolutions and following the passage of the previous resolution in 2022, it increased its uranium enrichment level to 60%, which is close to the level required for producing nuclear weapons.
Five diplomats, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that this time the Iranian regime intends to install more centrifuge cascades, uranium enrichment devices, at one of its underground facilities.
Three of these diplomats added that IAEA inspectors monitoring Iran’s progress are scheduled to present a report to IAEA member countries on Thursday regarding this matter.
Reuters, citing these diplomats, wrote that it is unclear why the scale of Iran’s response was less than expected, but “perhaps they are waiting for the new administration to take office.”
However, these diplomats said it is necessary to wait for the IAEA report to see a more detailed account of the expansion of enrichment capacity in Iran.
The IAEA Board of Governors’ resolution against Iran was passed on June 5 with 20 votes in favor. Additionally, two countries, China and Russia, opposed it, and 12 countries abstained.
The resolution considers the presence of experienced IAEA inspectors to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities to be “vital” and calls on Iran to lift the ban on these inspectors.
Officials from the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the adoption of this resolution an “unconstructive” action. The spokesperson for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization also stated that they would not yield to pressure.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is committed to continuing technical cooperation with the IAEA “within the framework of its international rights and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Safeguards Agreement.”
According to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issuance of this resolution “has no impact on the determination to continue the peaceful use of nuclear energy” in accordance with the country’s rights under relevant international treaties.
