Iran’s installation of advanced centrifuges raises concerns as its nuclear program progresses close to weapons-grade levels.
Iran has begun operating new cascades of advanced centrifuges, further progressing its nuclear program, which already enriches uranium to near-weapons-grade levels. The move, which comes amid rising tensions with the West, has drawn criticism from the U.S. as a form of “nuclear escalation.” According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has started feeding uranium into three cascades of IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz facility. These cascades increase the speed of uranium enrichment, with the goal of producing uranium more efficiently.
So far, Iran has been enriching uranium to 60% purity, which is close to the 90% required for weapons-grade material. Although Iran has not indicated plans to further increase enrichment levels, the IAEA’s acknowledgment of the new centrifuges highlights the country’s continuing advancement of its nuclear capabilities. Additionally, Iran plans to install more centrifuges at both Natanz and its Fordo nuclear site, with 18 IR-2m centrifuges and eight IR-6 centrifuges set to be added.
The announcement of the centrifuges’ installation follows criticism from the IAEA’s Board of Governors, which censured Iran for its lack of cooperation. The U.S. has condemned Iran’s nuclear activities, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stating that Iran’s actions undermine its claims of pursuing a peaceful nuclear program. The U.S. has not outlined specific responses but has emphasized that Iran’s nuclear developments could provoke further international action.
Since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has progressively enriched uranium just below weapons-grade levels, with ongoing concerns over the potential for the country to develop nuclear weapons. Despite this, U.S. intelligence agencies do not believe that Iran has yet started a weapons program. The IAEA continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities, but access to its facilities remains limited, and the country has failed to fully cooperate in certain areas.
This escalation in Iran’s nuclear program comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, particularly following a significant attack by Iran on Israel, which further complicates the geopolitical landscape.