Iran Blocks Nuclear Inspections as Uranium Enrichment Escalates, Warns IAEA

With the ongoing global worries about Iran's nuclear capabilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that Tehran has blocked its inspectors from overseeing the nation's nuclear program.

The UN's nuclear watchdog recently issued an advisory about Iran's developing stockpile of enriched uranium in its latest quarterly report.

Iran's Nuclear Expansion in US Assessment

TOPSHOT - Chinese sailors march pass the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov berthed at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval base in Qingdao, northeastern China's Shandong province on April 23, 2012, prior to the start of the Sino-Russian joint naval exercises.
(Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States Department of National Intelligence (DNI) stated in its 2024 Annual Threat Assessment report that Iran has considerably expanded its nuclear program and conducted actions to improve its capacity to create a nuclear device.

However, the document defines that Iran is currently not involved in the substantial nuclear weapons-development activities necessary for producing a testable nuclear device.

However, it claims that Iran has taken steps that might encourage the invention of a nuclear weapon, if it chooses to go in that direction, while also reducing its control of nuclear energy activities.

The report, which outlines the most urgent threats to US national interests and security, emphasizes that it does not encompass all global conflicts. According to the DNI, Iran has surpassed the limitations outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action concerning the development of nuclear warheads.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, established in 2015 and involving Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the EU, imposed constraints on Iran's critical nuclear facilities. However, the US alleges that Iran, after nine years, is no longer adhering to the agreement, opting instead to significantly expand its arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), according to Express.

Multinational Maritime Exercise Begins

Meanwhile, a maritime exercise is now taking place, which includes a group of military helicopters, as well as more than twenty ships, support vessels, and fighting boats from three different countries.

According to a statement by Adm. Mostafa Tajaddini, spokesperson for the drill, quoted by Iranian state television, the exercise will cover an area of 17,000 square kilometers (6,600 square miles) of water.

Tajaddini underlined that the intention of the exercise, which is the fourth of its order since 2019 and includes the three countries, is to strengthen commerce, combat piracy and terrorism, assist humanitarian efforts, and allow information exchange in rescue operations, among other goals.

As a response to the rising regional tensions with the United States, Iran has strengthened its military partnership with Beijing and Moscow. This includes the transmission of military drones to Russia in exchange for Russia's participation in the conflict in Ukraine. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa are serving as observers during the drill.

As a result of the failure of the nuclear deal with global powers, the Gulf of Oman has been the site of a number of attacks since the year 2019, which the United States has linked to Iran. Additionally, Tehran has taken control of ships in their possession. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the Strait of Hormuz, which is the tiny entry to the Persian Gulf, is crossed by one fifth of the world's oil commerce, ABC News reported.