Iran very close to acquiring nuclear weapons, UN watchdog warns

The Islamic Republic is very close to developing a nuclear weapon, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned on Saturday, as the world awaits Tehran’s response to Donald Trump’s offer of either nuclear talks or the possibility of airstrikes on its atomic sites.

“Iran has an extremely ambitious and extensive nuclear program, under which it is enriching uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels,” Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. Speaking in an interview with Argentine online newspaper Infobae, Grossi said Iran’s nuclear situation is relatively contained right now. However, he warned, “it remains very close to the nuclear threshold—meaning it could potentially acquire atomic weapons. “The IAEA has argued in the past that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to 60%, which is a short step from weapons-grade 90% enriched fissile material. Source – Iran International English