By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
TEHRAN/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Iran warned Friday it is launching “new and advanced” centrifuges to rapidly enrich uranium because the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog censured the Islamic Republic for failing to cooperate fully with the agency’s monitoring and inspection.
The censure resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) late Thursday could lead to penalties against Iran, including more economic sanctions.
The IAEA also told Tehran to provide answers in a long-running investigation into uranium particles found at two locations that Tehran did not declare as nuclear sites as required under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Sources familiar with the closed-door vote in Vienna, Austria, said the agency’s Board of Governors voted 19 to 3, with 12 abstentions, for the censure, despite intensive lobbying by Iran and its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.
He reportedly urged officials of countries on the board, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, and South Africa, to oppose the resolution by Britain, France, Germany, and the United States.
The three votes against were cast by Russia, China, and Burkina Faso, Worthy News learned.
POWERFUL MACHINES
Soon after Thursday’s vote, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the passing of the resolution.
They said Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami “issued orders” to launch new and advanced centrifuges, powerful machines that spin rapidly to enrich uranium, despite global concern.
“The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issued an order to take effective measures, including launching a significant series of new and advanced centrifuges of various types,” said the organization, and Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement.
It added, however, that “technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA will continue, as in the past” and within the framework of agreements made by Iran.
However, Israel and its allies have expressed concern that Iran is close to having one or more nuclear weapons that could further destabilize the Middle East.
A confidential report leaked earlier this week suggested that Iran defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
MANY KILOGRAMS
That report said that as of October 26, Iran had accumulated 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last IAEA report in August.
Uranium enriched at 60 percent purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.
The latest standoff comes at a critical time, ahead of Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House.
Trump’s first term in office was marked by a tense period with Iran, as the U.S. president pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran.
In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers andimposed even harsher sanctions that weakened Iran’s economy further.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Police and government officials raided a Sunday worship service of Early Rain Covenant Church in southwestern China, detaining elders, members, and children as Beijing continues its crackdown on unregistered Protestant congregations.
Roughly 60,000 Christians gathered in the Netherlands for a four-day Pentecost celebration, drawing attention to what many believers are calling a fresh move of God in one of Europe’s most secular nations.
World leaders on Monday cautiously welcomed the announcement of a U.S.-Iran framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and launching negotiations toward a permanent peace deal, as U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in France for the Group of Seven summit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday night that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, even as President Donald Trump moves forward with a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Eight crew members are believed dead after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff Monday morning at Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing base officials.
The United States secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between Qatar and Iran that allowed billions of dollars to flow to Tehran in exchange for safe passage for Qatari tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Israel Hayom.
Israeli leaders across the political spectrum reacted with fury and alarm Monday after President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran had reached a peace framework that would impose an immediate ceasefire across multiple fronts, reportedly including Lebanon.