Iran has warned the United States that any renewed military attack on the country could push Tehran towards enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels. The warning was delivered by Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament.
In a message posted on social media on Tuesday, 12 May, Rezaei stated that one of the options available to Iran would be to enrich uranium to 90 per cent purity. He also said that the matter would be reviewed in the Iranian Parliament.
According to nuclear experts, uranium enriched to 90 per cent purity is generally classified as weapons-grade material and is considered a critical component in the production of nuclear weapons. Iran’s remarks come amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and the broader regional security situation.
The latest comments followed statements made on Monday by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran was approaching a critical stage. Trump also rejected an Iranian proposal, highlighting the fragile state of the diplomatic efforts currently underway between the two countries.
Trump further asserted that Iranian nuclear facilities had been completely destroyed during a 12-day conflict in June last year involving strikes by the United States and Israel. He said the attacks had severely damaged Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
Despite those claims, uncertainty remains regarding the location of approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity. Specialists have stated that uranium at that level can technically be upgraded to weapons-grade enrichment within a relatively short period of time.
US intelligence assessments have reportedly concluded that Iran’s nuclear programme cannot be effectively halted unless its stockpile of highly enriched uranium is either destroyed or removed from the country. The status of Iran’s uranium reserves has therefore become a central issue in ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Talks aimed at ending the US-Iran confrontation, which began in late February, have increasingly focused on the nuclear issue as the principal point of disagreement. Tehran has argued that nuclear matters should be discussed at a later stage of negotiations.
Washington, however, maintains that Iran must transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad and end domestic uranium enrichment activities as part of any broader agreement.
Key Developments
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Iranian warning | Possible enrichment to 90% purity if attacked again |
| Iranian official | Ebrahim Rezaei |
| Uranium purity discussed | 90% enrichment |
| Current reported stockpile | Around 400 kg enriched to 60% |
| Expert assessment | 90% purity considered weapons-grade |
| US position | Removal of enriched uranium stockpile and end to domestic enrichment |
| Iranian position | Nuclear issue should be discussed later in negotiations |
| Diplomatic context | Continuing US-Iran negotiations following conflict tensions |