Iran Activates Crucial Nuclear Centrifuges, Criticizes G7 Declaration Regarding Escalation

Iran urged the Group of Seven on Sunday to distance itself from the “destructive policies of the past,” according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani. This came after the G7 issued a statement condemning Iran’s recent nuclear program escalation.

The G7 cautioned Iran against advancing its nuclear enrichment program on Friday and stated that they would be prepared to implement new measures if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.

Kanaani emphasized that any attempt to connect the situation in Ukraine to the collaboration between Iran and Russia is driven by biased political motives. He accused some countries of making false claims in order to maintain sanctions against Iran.

Last week, the 35-nation Board of Governors of the U.N. nuclear watchdog adopted a resolution calling on Iran to increase its cooperation with the watchdog and reverse its decision to restrict inspectors’ access.

In response, Iran swiftly installed additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and began installing others, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Kanaani stated that Tehran will continue its positive interaction and technical cooperation with the IAEA, but criticized the resolution as being politically prejudiced.

Iran is currently enriching uranium to a purity level of up to 60%, nearing the 90% required for weapons-grade material. According to an IAEA assessment, Iran has enough material enriched at this level, if further enriched, to produce three nuclear weapons.