Netanyahu explains Iran approach
RTNov 24, 2022
The Facts
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization spokesperson, Behrouz Kamalvandi, on Monday denied claims that the country has enriched uranium to 84% purity, not far below the 90% required to make it weapons-grade.
Bloomberg reported on Sunday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had detected uranium enriched to 84% purity in the country, adding that inspectors for the nuclear watchdog are now trying to determine whether the development was deliberate or not.
The Spin
Anti-Iran narrative
There is not much time left to stop the Iranian nuclear program now that uranium enrichment at 84% purity has been detected — a level only used for weapons production. This news shows that Iran never sought to enrich uranium for civilian use, and that the now dormant nuclear deal — part of a misguided attempt to respond diplomatically to the nation's aggression — only facilitated Tehran becoming a nuclear power. A credible military threat is urgently required to prevent escalation.
Pro-Iran narrative
Reports that Iran is intentionally producing near weapons-grade uranium are slander and an unfair distortion of the facts. Just because some uranium has tested at 84% purity does not mean that uranium is being intentionally enriched at that level. Iran is committed to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its safeguards agreement with the IAEA — an organization that should not be politicized.
