Fri Nov 29 20:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Iran to Use Advanced Centrifuges for Uranium Enrichment, Raising Nuclear Tensions

**Dubai, November 30, 2024** – Iran will begin enriching uranium using thousands of advanced centrifuges at its Fordo and Natanz facilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced Friday. This move escalates tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, even as the enrichment level is initially reported at 5%, significantly lower than the current 60%.

The IAEA report notes that Iran plans to utilize approximately 45 cascades of advanced IR-2M, IR-4, and IR-6 centrifuges, which enrich uranium far faster than the older IR-1 models. While the exact number of centrifuges per cascade remains unclear, the deployment of these advanced machines significantly increases Iran’s enrichment capacity. It is currently unknown if the uranium enrichment process has actually commenced.

Although the lower initial enrichment level of 5% might suggest a desire to negotiate with the West and the incoming Trump administration, Iran’s recent actions paint a different picture. The country has threatened attacks on Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon and its continued support for Russia in the war in Ukraine is causing concern in the international community.

The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over Iran’s actions, stating that the country is choosing “continued escalation” instead of cooperation with the IAEA. They emphasize that Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60% lacks credible civilian justification.

While Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have recently signaled a willingness to negotiate, these overtures are overshadowed by Iran’s aggressive actions and rhetoric. Recent diplomatic talks between Iranian and EU officials yielded a “frank discussion” concerning Iran’s nuclear program, military support for Russia, and regional tensions.

This development comes after the IAEA Board of Governors condemned Iran for failing to fully cooperate with the agency. The 2015 nuclear deal, which imposed limits on Iran’s enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief, collapsed after the U.S. withdrew in 2018. Since then, Iran has consistently increased its uranium enrichment capabilities, raising global concerns about its intentions. While intelligence agencies assert that Iran hasn’t initiated a weapons program, the continued escalation of its enrichment capabilities remains a significant cause for international alarm.

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