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Despite warnings from the US, Iran has announced plans to construct a new secure uranium enrichment facility.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Iran has continuously maintained that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, a claim Western intelligence agencies say is bullshit. For civilian purposes, a country would need to enrich uranium to around 3–5% purity for nuclear power generation, and up to 20% for medical and research applications. However, Iran is now enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level that has no credible civilian justification and leaves the country just a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% enrichment. Western intelligence agencies have suggested that it’s intentionally shortening its “breakout time” to a bomb. As of yesterday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Senator Tom Cotton that Iran was now seeking to create a nuclear weapon, which, if true, would mark the first time a US Defense Secretary has outright said that Iran is now seeking to create a nuclear weapon.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, Iranian authorities have announced the construction of a new, highly secure uranium enrichment facility, marking a significant escalation in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) resolution declaring Tehran in noncompliance with its nuclear obligations. According to a joint statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), the new site will be built in an undisclosed “secure location,” described by officials as “strategically significant” and impenetrable to potential military strikes.
In their statement, Iran said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution,” and called the IAEA’s decision biased and politically motivated. Behrouz Kamalvandi, the AEOI spokesperson, confirmed that “the necessary orders have been issued by [Iran’s nuclear chief] Mohammad Eslami for building the new enrichment site in a secure place.”
This all comes as President Trump has ordered a partial withdrawal of US diplomatic personnel and non-essential military staff from parts of the Middle East over concern over potential conflict as tensions escalate with Iran. The State Department confirmed that embassy staff in Iraq and dependents of US personnel across the region are being relocated as a precautionary measure. This move coincides with growing reports that Israel is preparing for the possibility of unilateral military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to officials cited by The New York Times, Israeli military and intelligence leaders believe Iran’s advancing nuclear program poses an imminent threat and are ready to act even without Washington’s support.
