Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl informed the House Armed Services Committee that Iran’s nuclear program has made "remarkable" progress since former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed by the Obama administration, Iran, and five other world powers.
Kahl stated that if the U.S. had remained in the JCPOA, it would have taken Iran about 12 months to produce one bomb’s worth of fissile material, whereas now it would take just 12 days. Despite this, Kahl expressed that diplomatic resolution is still the best option for dealing with the situation. “I think there is still the view that if you can resolve this issue diplomatically and put constraints back on their nuclear program, it is better than the other options,” Kahl said, “but right now, the JCPOA is on ice.”
MUST WATCH: GIANT EMPEROR TRUMP FIGURE AT ITALIAN FESTIVAL
March 02, 2023
Kahl also confirmed to Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) that the White House had offered to rejoin the deal this past summer, but "the Iranians were not willing" to accept. "And, of course, Iran’s behavior has changed since then, not the least of which [is] their support for Russia in Ukraine," Kahl added.
MUST WATCH: AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTER MOPS THE FLOOR WITH CLIMATE ACTIVISTS
Former President Trump had criticized the agreement as "defective" and unable to "halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions," as it removed limits on Iran’s future nuclear fuel production. In 2020, Iran declared it would no longer comply with the treaty’s limits following a U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian military general Qassem Soleimani.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SET TO ESTABLISH "GAZA CAMP" AFTER BEING DENIED FOR LACK OF LEADERSHIP
Although U.S. officials had previously indicated that Iran could acquire the fissile material needed for a nuclear weapon within weeks, they did not believe that Tehran was proficient enough with the technology required to construct a bomb. Iran has denied having any such ambition. However, according to CNN, a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that uranium particles enriched to 83.7% purity were found at an underground Iranian nuclear facility, close to the 90% enrichment levels required to make a bomb.
WAIT FOR GAS PRICES TO RISE! OVER 30 MISSILES LAUNCHED AT UKRAINE'S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
The Post also reported that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% had more than tripled in the last quarter, citing the IAEA.
Despite the risks, President Biden has continued to make efforts to revive the Obama-era deal since taking office, but Tehran has rebuffed the White House's overtures.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
