Illustrative: Centrifuge machines at the Natanz nuclear site. US intelligence sources say an explosion destroyed the power that supplies the advanced centrifuges. (Photo: Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Handout/EPA)
The United States is growing increasingly concerned about Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which intelligence officials believe far exceeds levels considered normal for civilian use. U.S. officials suggest this may indicate the building of nuclear weapons and establishing the progression of a more sophisticated nuclear weapons program.
As first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, a report released from the Office of the United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) on Thursday cites warnings that “Iran now has enough fissile material to make more than a dozen nuclear weapons,” but has not yet decided to proceed.
According to the intelligence community, as of Sept. 26, “Iran is not building a nuclear weapon,” as the report stated, but added that it has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce one if it so chooses.”
The DNI report titled “Assessment Regarding the Nuclear Activity of the Islamic Republic of Iran” gave a broad overview and intelligence assessment of Iran’s nuclear activities and capabilities from May to September.
“Tehran has the infrastructure and experience to quickly produce weapons-grade uranium at multiple underground facilities, if it so chooses,” the DNI said, which “bolsters the credibility of threats to develop nuclear weapons.”
Iran maintains that their uranium stores are being used for civilian energy purposes and exist to provide a nuclear infrastructure only. However, according to the report, “Iran has continued to increase its stockpiles of 20-percent and 60-percent enriched uranium,” which are levels “that far exceed what would be necessary for a civilian energy program.”
A Western official told Reuters on Saturday that the rise in uranium enriched to 60% purity is “extremely serious,” unjustified for civilian use, and contradicts Tehran’s claims about ongoing nuclear negotiations.
“These measures have no credible civilian justification and could, on the contrary, directly fuel a military nuclear program if Iran were to take the decision,” the source said.
With the U.S. being in a period of transition, and anticipating the inauguration in January of President-elect Donald Trump, representatives in the Trump camp have said the new administration will tighten economic pressure on Iran as a means to deter Iran’s efforts in increasing their nuclear capabilities.
While Trump has continued to maintain that he seeks no conflict with the regime, Iranian officials have warned that a new maximum-pressure strategy from the Trump administration would derail diplomatic efforts.