Iran advances in nuclear bomb development, U.S. officials warn
Iran is increasingly vocal about its nuclear ambitions and has made progress in developing key aspects of a nuclear weapon since April, the Associated Press reported on Friday.
This development follows a period when Israel and its allies successfully countered a series of Iranian airstrikes targeting Israel, according to senior Biden administration officials on Friday.
U.S. closely monitoring Iran's actions
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, emphasized that the United States is vigilant for any indications that Iran has decided to pursue actual weaponization of its nuclear program.
Sullivan stated, "I have not seen a decision by Iran to move" towards developing a nuclear bomb at this time.
"If they start moving down that road, they'll find a real problem with the United States," Sullivan warned, addressing reporters at the security forum attended by U.S. policymakers and journalists.
Why Iran's nuclear program matters
Iran resumed its nuclear program advancements after the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had provided Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for stricter oversight.
Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes, though the international community, including the U.S., suspects otherwise. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly refrained from giving a final order to develop a nuclear weapon.
Iran's conventional weaponry performance came under scrutiny following its first direct attack on Israel on April 13, part of a dayslong exchange of strikes. Israel, supported by the U.S. and allies, claimed to have intercepted 99% of approximately 300 missiles and drones launched by Iran, following an alleged Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals.
Iran threatens "obliterating war" with Israel
Iran’s mission to the United Nations (UN) issued a full threat to Israel and stated via social media that if Israel launches a military retaliation on Hezbollah that "an obliterating war will ensue." LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow spoke with Mark Chandler at Coastal Carolina University to get his take.
"What we’ve seen in the past weeks and months is Iran is actually moving forward" on developing fissile material, Blinken noted during a panel discussion.
He criticized the Trump administration's decision to exit the nuclear agreement, which Trump deemed "defective at its core" in 2019. Blinken stated that Iran could be "one or two weeks away" from having enough fissile material to produce a nuclear weapon, a significant reduction from the year-long breakout time previously estimated.
Diplomatic efforts and careful observation
The U.S. remains alert for any sign of Iran progressing towards weaponization and continues diplomatic efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Blinken stressed the importance of vigilance, stating the U.S. is watching "very, very carefully" for developments on the weapon side.
Sullivan noted an "uptick of public commentary from Iranian officials musing about that possibility" of developing a nuclear weapon since the April attacks. "That was new. That was something that got our attention," he said.