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Sunday, March 10, 2024
Diplomats concerned Iran’s nuclear program getting stronger amid Gaza war – report
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
American and European diplomats are concerned that Iranian elements that want to push Iran’s nuclear program forward are being strengthened during the Israel-Hamas war and Iran’s decision to reduce its cooperation with the IAEA, The Guardian reports.
At the IAEA quarterly conference last week, Western powers did not issue new resolutions blasting Tehran, largely because of a desire to avoid potential escalation as the West tries to contain the fallout from the ongoing war in Gaza.
But, according to British paper, delegates at the IAEA meeting issued warnings about the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program.
IAEA director Rafael Grossi warned that the organization has lost “continuity of knowledge about [Iran’s] production and stock of centrifuges, rotors, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate.”
Blaming the US, Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov said the situation was “full of danger and risks getting out of control,” according to The Guardian.
Also last week, conservatives dominated Iran’s parliamentary elections.
Adding to the concern is the real possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The Times of Israel Community.