Title: Iran Capable of Producing Fissile Material in ‘One or Two Weeks’: Blinken
Date: March 14, 2023
In a recent statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran is capable of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon within a short period of one to two weeks. This alarming claim has sent shockwaves across the international community, as the world grapples with the growing threat of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
Blinken’s statement was made during a press conference at the State Department, where he emphasized the urgent need for the international community to take action to address Iran’s nuclear program. According to Blinken, Iran’s rapid production of fissile material would enable the country to rapidly assemble a nuclear weapon, posing a significant threat to regional and global security.
“We are very concerned about the pace at which Iran is expanding its nuclear program,” Blinken said. “We believe that if Iran continues on its current trajectory, it will be able to produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon in a matter of one to two weeks. This is a deeply disturbing development, and it is imperative that the international community takes immediate action to prevent it.”
Blinken’s statement comes as tensions between Iran and the international community continue to escalate over the country’s nuclear program. In 2015, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, in May 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and imposed harsh sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about the country’s ballistic missile program and alleged support for terrorism.
Since then, Iran has been gradually increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium, which is considered a key component of a nuclear weapon. Last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had exceeded the limits set by the JCPOA on the level of enriched uranium it was allowed to stockpile.
The Blinken statement has been met with concern by governments around the world, with many calling for urgent action to address the growing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program. The European Union, for example, has urged Iran to return to compliance with the JCPOA and has called for the resumption of diplomatic talks to address the country’s nuclear activities.
The Israeli government, meanwhile, has been vocal in its condemnation of Iran’s nuclear program, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that Iran’s nuclear ambitions pose a existential threat to the Jewish state. “The Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions are a threat not only to Israel but to the entire world,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “We must work together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to ensure the security and stability of the region.”
The Blinken statement comes as the United States and other countries are preparing for a possible military conflict with Iran. Last year, the US military deployed additional forces to the Middle East in response to reported Iranian threats against American interests in the region. The Pentagon has also begun conducting exercises and drills to prepare for a potential conflict with Iran, which could involve the use of advanced military technology and tactics.
As the world grapples with the growing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, the Blinken statement serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for diplomatic action to address the issue. The international community must come together to prevent Iran from producing fissile material and to ensure that the country does not acquire a nuclear weapon. Failure to do so could have catastrophic consequences for global security and stability.