Iran threatens weapons-grade uranium enrichment if attacked again

Iran has threatened to dramatically escalate its nuclear activities if the country faces another military attack. Iranian parliamentary spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei announced on Tuesday that Iran could enrich uranium to 90 percent purity – a level considered weapons-grade.

The threat appears directed at the United States and Israel, which have previously conducted military actions against Iranian targets. Rezaei stated that the Iranian parliament would review and discuss such an option if Iran were to become the target of attacks again.

Currently, Iran enriches uranium to up to 60 percent purity, which is already far above the level needed for civilian purposes. Power generation in nuclear plants typically requires uranium enriched to about 3 to 5 percent. The step from 60 to 90 percent enrichment is considered technically relatively short and feasible.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN watchdog for nuclear activities, Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. This amount already significantly exceeds the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the United States withdrew in 2018 under President Donald Trump.

The Iranian threat comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In recent months, conflicts in the region have intensified, particularly after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Iran supports various armed groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat and has repeatedly not ruled out military options against Iranian nuclear facilities. The United States has also made clear in the past that it considers all options to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb.

Rezaei's announcement represents a new escalation level in Iran's nuclear rhetoric. Until now, the country had gradually increased its uranium enrichment and moved away from the restrictions of the nuclear agreement, but had never explicitly threatened to produce weapons-grade material.

Experts warn that further escalation of the nuclear conflict could additionally exacerbate the already unstable situation in the Middle East. The international community has repeatedly emphasized that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.

The development also raises questions about the future of diplomatic efforts to revive the nuclear agreement. Various negotiation rounds in recent years have failed to achieve breakthrough success. Iran's new threat is likely to further complicate prospects for a diplomatic solution.

The statement by the parliamentary spokesperson adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile regional situation. It demonstrates Iran's willingness to use its nuclear capabilities as leverage in ongoing conflicts and represents a significant challenge to international non-proliferation efforts.