- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran could have developed nuclear weapons ten years ago if not for Israeli interventions, amid new intelligence reports indicating that Iranian scientists are exploring faster methods to develop nuclear weapons.
- U.S. intelligence sources confirmed that Iranian scientists are working on a new approach to accelerate nuclear weapon development, potentially reducing the time needed from months to a year or more.
- Iran's nuclear program has been a long-standing international concern, with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear activities. The U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018, leading to increased uranium enrichment by Iran.
- During Netanyahu's visit to U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, both leaders emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, reflecting a united stance and highlighting Israel's actions to delay Iran's nuclear progress.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general expressed concern over Iran's uranium enrichment levels, and the latest intelligence adds urgency to efforts to revive or renegotiate the JCPOA, with Iran indicating a willingness to negotiate under certain conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted on Thursday, Feb. 6, that Iran "probably" could have developed nuclear weapons ten years ago if not for Israeli actions.
The remarks came amid new intelligence reports suggesting that Iranian scientists are actively exploring faster methods to develop atomic weapons, despite ongoing diplomatic signals from Tehran indicating a willingness to negotiate with the United States.
The New York Times reported this week that a covert team of Iranian scientists is working on a new approach to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons. Speaking on anonymity, U.S. intelligence sources confirmed that this intelligence was among the topics discussed during Netanyahu's state visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump and other top officials.
Iran's nuclear program has been a source of international concern for decades, with Western powers and Israel accusing Tehran of seeking to develop atomic weapons under the guise of a peaceful nuclear energy program. In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with world powers, agreeing to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, leading to a resurgence in Iran's uranium enrichment activities.
The latest intelligence, collected in the final months of the Biden administration and relayed to the Trump administration during the transition, indicates that Iranian weapons engineers and scientists are exploring a shortcut to turn their growing stockpile of nuclear fuel into a workable weapon in a matter of months, rather than a year or more. U.S. officials, however, maintain that there is no evidence that Iran has decided to pursue a nuclear weapon actively. (Related: Iran sitting on "secret weapon" more powerful than nukes, general claims.)
Nevertheless, the intelligence suggests that Iran is seriously considering new options to deter potential attacks from the U.S. or Israel, especially as its proxy forces have been weakened and its missiles have failed to penetrate American and Israeli defenses.
Netanyahu and Trump's shared stance
During his visit to Washington, Netanyahu underscored the shared position of the U.S. and Israel on the Iran issue.
"The president said something very simple, which I said as well. Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons," Netanyahu told Fox News. He also highlighted the actions taken by Israel to delay Iran's nuclear progress, stating, "We held them up."
The Israeli prime minister's comments reflect a broader strategy of maintaining pressure on Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Despite Tehran's recent overtures to negotiate with the Trump administration, U.S. and Israeli officials remain skeptical of Iran's intentions.
Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently expressed concern over Iran's rapid acceleration of uranium enrichment to as much as 60 percent purity, a level that is much closer to the 90 percent purity needed for a nuclear weapon.
The new intelligence and Netanyahu's warnings add urgency to ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the JCPOA or negotiate a new agreement. While Iran has indicated a willingness to engage in talks, it has also made clear that any negotiations must be conducted with "respect" and without preconditions. The international community, including the U.S. and its allies, will need to carefully balance the need for diplomatic engagement with the imperative to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
As the situation continues to evolve, the statements from Netanyahu and the latest intelligence reports underscore the high stakes involved in the Iran nuclear issue. Both the U.S. and Israel remain committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even as they navigate the complex landscape of international diplomacy and intelligence.
The latest developments highlight the ongoing tension and the critical importance of diplomatic efforts to address Iran's nuclear ambitions. The international community will be closely watching for any signs of progress or further escalation in the coming weeks and months.
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Watch the video below where Iran unveils its new underground "missile city."
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