U.S. Alarmed As IAEA Reports Rising Iran Uranium Production

Iran increased its production of enriched uranium by 60% at its Natanz and Fordow facilities in the first six months of this year, the State Department announced recently, citing a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mark Moran reported for United Press International (UPI).

The State Department said Iran's decision to increase its enriched uranium production demonstrates a lack of goodwill and represents reckless behavior.

This increase in nuclear material is a "backwards step," the IAEA said in its new report. The UK also weighed in on the report, echoing the sentiments of both State and the IAEA.

"We condemn this action, which adds to the unabated escalation of Iran's nuclear program," the IAEA said.

"The production of high-enriched uranium by Iran has no credible civilian justification, and the reported production at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant further carries significant proliferation-related risks.

"We also take note of Iran's decision to revert to the same cascade configuration as the one discovered by the IAEA in Fordow earlier this year," the IAEA said.

"Iran's delay in declaring this change in January 2023 cast serious doubts on Iran's willingness to cooperate with the IAEA in full transparency."

The State Department said Iran's decision to increase its enriched uranium production demonstrates a lack of goodwill and represents reckless behavior in an already tense geographic region engaged in a race to increase nuclear material.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem