The United States and other Western powers are “alarmed” at Iran’s progress toward nuclear capabilities, Washington’s Iran envoy Robert Malley tells NPR radio in an interview.
“They’re much closer to having fissile material for a bomb,” Malley warns. “To our knowledge, they have not resumed their weaponization program, which is what they would need to develop the bomb. But we are of course alarmed, as are our partners, at the progress they’ve made in the enrichment field.”
He adds that Iran now has enough uranium to build a bomb within weeks, if it so chooses, adding that if that happened, the US would know and respond forcefully.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz reveals satellite images he says show the “most significant” Iranian maritime activity in the Red Sea in a decade.
“Iran is expanding its activities in the maritime arena. Over the last year, Iran has seized international tankers and attacked vessels. Today we can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea, with its ships patrolling the southern region,” Gantz tells officials at the Economist Government Roundtable conference held in Greece.
“In recent months, we have identified the most significant Iranian military presence in the area in the past decade. It is a direct threat to trade, energy and the global economy,” he says.
Gantz also warns that Iran’s recent tests of a satellite launcher could be used to carry warheads. “This test demonstrates that the Iranian regime has the capability to develop intercontinental missiles, that may reach as far as central Europe,” Gantz says.
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