Iran warns it could raise uranium enrichment to 90% if attacked again
A senior Iranian lawmaker has warned that Iran may significantly escalate its nuclear program if it comes under renewed military attack, stating that the country could enrich uranium to levels of up to 90% purity, which is widely considered weapons-grade.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to his statement, the option of reaching 90% enrichment would be considered if Iran is targeted again in future strikes.
Rezaei said the issue would be reviewed by Iran’s parliament, indicating that such a move would be treated as a strategic response rather than a routine policy decision. His comments reflect growing rhetoric within Iranian political circles emphasizing nuclear capability as a deterrent against external pressure.
Uranium enrichment at 90% purity is a critical threshold because it is generally classified as “weapons-grade,” meaning it can potentially be used to develop nuclear weapons if further processed. While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes such as energy production and medical research, Western governments have repeatedly expressed concern over its enrichment levels and lack of full transparency.
The statement comes at a time of continued instability in the Middle East, where tensions have escalated due to recent military confrontations and stalled diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities. International observers, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), continue to monitor Iran’s enrichment program closely due to its proximity to weapons-grade levels.
Iranian officials have consistently argued that enrichment is a sovereign right under international nuclear agreements, while critics warn that further escalation could increase the risk of regional conflict and nuclear proliferation.
