Blinken warns: Iran nearing nuclear capability, escalating concerns

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking at a security conference in Aspen, raised alarms about Iran's rapid progress towards nuclear capability.

He stated that Iran could potentially enrich enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb within two weeks, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

“Iran is at most two weeks away from enriching enough fissile material to make an atomic bomb,” Blinken said.

Experts from the US Institute for National Security Studies, analyzing the May 2024 report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear activities, highlight Iran's ongoing development of its uranium enrichment program, focusing on accumulating material enriched to 60 per cent.

While this does not confirm immediate nuclear weapon construction capability — there remains a technological gap — this underscores diminishing prospects for reversing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Researchers also note Iran's capability to swiftly enrich uranium to military-grade levels (90 per cent) if desired but currently refrains due to international repercussions. However, their continued enrichment to 60 per cent suggests Iran is pursuing an alternative strategy.