Israel has been sharing intelligence with the United States showing that Iran is “taking technical steps to prepare to enrich uranium” to weapons-grade 90 percent purity, according to a report Monday.
The preparations could enable Tehran to reach weapons-grade level within just a few weeks, Axios reported, citing two US sources briefed on the matter. Israeli analysts have reportedly warned the US that Iran could make such a decision soon, in order to influence the nuclear talks with world powers, which restarted in Vienna on Monday months after they were suspended.
Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60% purity, already far exceeding the cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal. There is no civilian use for 90% enriched uranium.
In public comments on Monday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that Israeli defense officials were sharing intelligence with allies “indicating Iran is continuing to rush toward a nuclear” bomb ahead of the resumption of the nuclear talks.
He called on world powers to exact a “price” from Iran for its continued uranium enrichment in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal.
“There needs to be a price that is expressed in economic sanctions and military activities so that the Iranians halt their nuclear race and their regional aggression,” Gantz added.
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