France's Macron warns of Iran nuclear program nearing point of no return

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed serious concerns regarding the progression of Iran's nuclear program, stating it is approaching a potentially irreversible point. During his address to French ambassadors in Paris, he highlighted the acceleration of the program, suggesting it is nearing a critical juncture.

Iran has amassed enough nuclear material to create several warheads if the government decides to pursue nuclear weapons. This development follows Iran's decision to enhance its nuclear fuel production as a counteraction to criticism from the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA had reprimanded Iran for not clarifying issues related to the discovery of uranium particles at sites not declared by Tehran. The Iranian government has consistently argued that its nuclear ambitions are solely for energy generation.

The IAEA is in the process of preparing a detailed report that could lead to the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran before the current sanctions expire in October 2025. These sanctions could be reinstated through a "snap back" mechanism, a part of the previous nuclear agreement that was discarded in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump. The agreement had initially limited Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions.

Macron also mentioned the upcoming dialogue with the new American administration, referencing the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House later this month. The dialogue is expected to address the Iranian nuclear issue, which Macron identifies as a significant strategic and security challenge for Europe and its allies. He also pointed out Iran's support for Russia in the conflict against Ukraine, further emphasizing the threat level.

In the context of Iran's nuclear capabilities, it is important to note that the nation operates thousands of centrifuges capable of enriching uranium. While these centrifuges are generally used for producing reactor fuel, they can be adjusted to enrich uranium to higher levels, which is necessary for manufacturing nuclear weapons.

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Source: Investing.com