On Wednesday, Iran disclosed new information to the United Nations regarding two sites near Tehran that were flagged by inspectors for containing traces of manmade uranium.

This move comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which has been advancing, and the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers remaining in disarray.

Iran’s uranium enrichment is now closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, adding to concerns, the Associated Press has reported.

The head of Iran’s civilian nuclear program, Mohammad Eslami, stated that providing comprehensive responses to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s inquiries could help Iran avoid further criticism, especially as an approaching October deadline could lead to the lifting of international restrictions on its ballistic missile program.

Eslami made these statements after a Cabinet meeting, indicating a shift in tone from Iran, which had previously restricted inspections, withheld surveillance footage, and delayed responses to the IAEA following the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal by then-President Donald Trump in 2018.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, but both the Western nations and the IAEA have asserted that Iran had a structured military nuclear program until 2003.

Written by staff