The United States warned Wednesday that it will continue to exert “maximum pressure” on Iran in order to prevent it from achieving a nuclear weapon, as Tehran rejected its offer for new nuclear talks amid growing concerns about its stockpile of enriched uranium.
“As reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] Director General, Tehran continues to rapidly accelerate its production of highly enriched uranium,” the U.S. Mission to the United Nations said in a statement. “It is also the only country in the world without nuclear weapons producing highly enriched uranium, for which it has no credible peaceful purpose.”
The United States said Iran is “flagrantly” defying the U.N. Security Council and ignoring “the clear and consistent concerns” of both the council and the international community.
“The Council must be clear and united in addressing and condemning this brazen behavior,” the U.S. statement said.
Iran has denied for years that its nuclear pursuits are for military purposes. But starting in May 2019, it gradually stopped implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, which provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
In February 2021, it stopped implementing its commitments altogether. As a result, the IAEA no…
