Skip to main content

Report on Iran Nuclear Program: Situation Not Yet Hopeless

The danger posed by Iran’s nuclear program is heightening incrementally, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mark Fitzpatrick questions the wisdom of a war over a 10% increase in centrifuges. A proportionate response would be to increase the sanctions pressure on Iran, which has so far not made good use of diplomacy.
Iran's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh reacts as he addresses a news conference during a board of governors meeting at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna June 6, 2012. A senior Iranian official expressed hope on Wednesday that his country and the U.N. nuclear watchdog would soon be able to seal a framework agreement to resume a stalled investigation into Tehran's disputed atomic activities.    REUTERS/Herwig Prammer  (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY)

As predicted, the latest report on Iran’s nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has contributed to a push in Israel and parts of the US for preventive military action. Since May, Iran has installed more than a thousand new centrifuges in the underground facility at Fordow, doubling the number there since the last IAEA report in May.

In a pre-emptive move of their own, White House officials gave their own spin to the latest developments several days before the IAEA released the report. While not underplaying their concern over Iran’s continued defiance, the Obama team noted that the new numbers are not a "game changer." The new centrifuges are not (yet) being used for enrichment and the stockpile of 20% enriched uranium has not grown since May because half of it has been converted to an oxide form for use in fuel plates.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.