US, European nations condemn Iran over uranium metal enrichment

Tehran/Washington/London – Iran announced the development of 20% enriched uranium metal. Iran claims that this metal is being developed for peaceful uses. But the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have criticised that this Iranian decision violates the 2015 nuclear deal, and this could rock the talks being held in Vienna. Meanwhile, it is claimed that developing 20% enriched uranium metal can take Iran closer to the atomic bomb.

Two days ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced this Iranian decision. After that, Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Ambassador to the IAEA, confirmed the report. Gharibabadi clarified that the 20% enriched uranium metal would be used for medical purposes. Gharibabadi claimed that this would enhance the quality of Iranian radiopharmaceuticals, and Iran will become an advanced country in the nuclear technology sector.

Iranian foreign ministry also justified the development of 20% enriched uranium metal. Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, said that this decision was within the framework of the IAEA. But the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, who are negotiating the nuclear deal with Iran, have criticised the Iranian decision. Russia also has expressed concerns over the Iranian decision.

The US state department lashed out at the Iranian decision. US state department spokesman Ned Price blamed that this Iranian decision is a jolt to the talks being held in Vienna. But at the same time, the US state department indicated that Iran still has a window open for political discussions to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

The success of the Vienna talks is threatened due to this Iranian decision. There is no need for Iran to carry out the research and manufacture of uranium metal. Iran is closing in on the nuclear bomb treading this path. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany said in their joint declaration that Iran should stop all these activities violating the nuclear deal and make efforts to succeed in the Vienna talks.

Meanwhile, as per the nuclear deal signed in 2015, Iran had agreed not to develop uranium metal for 15 years, meaning till 2030. But in December last year, the Iranian Parliament decided to develop uranium metal in the Isfahan nuclear project. The United States, European countries, and international analysts claim that with 20% enriched uranium development, Iran will reach very close to making an atomic bomb.