Iran Accelerates Nuclear Weapons Development

News

Iran Accelerates Nuclear Weapons Development

Iran is actively seeking ways to speed up its nuclear weapons program, aiming to reduce the time it takes to turn its massive stockpile of enriched uranium into warheads from years to months, according to information released on February 4, 2025, The New York Times reported, citing people familiar with the intelligence.

According to the publication, a secret group of Iranian scientists is working on methods to quickly convert the accumulated nuclear fuel into a combat-ready weapon so that the government could quickly begin producing nuclear warheads if necessary. Iran's current stockpiles of uranium enriched to 60% allow it to create four to five nuclear warheads with further enrichment to 90%.

The effort comes amid a change in administration in the United States. New President Donald Trump earlier in his first term withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, which sought to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump's return to power has raised concerns in Tehran about a possible hardening of American policy and increased pressure on Iran.

The New York Times sources note that although the Iranian authorities have not officially decided to begin producing nuclear weapons, intelligence indicates that Tehran is seeking new means of deterrence and protection against potential attacks from Israel and the United States. This is due to the weakening of Iran's position in the region, including strikes on Iranian facilities, the decline in the influence of Tehran's allies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as the changing political situation in Syria.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington must increase pressure on Iran to prevent it from trying to develop nuclear weapons. "They are trying to eventually get a nuclear weapon," Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.

Earlier, it was reported that US President Joe Biden discussed the possibility of striking Iran's nuclear facilities if Tehran accelerates its development of nuclear weapons. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan presented Biden with options for possible actions, but no final decision was made.

.
upstairs