Media: Israel Informed Washington That Iran Is Preparing for ’90 Percent Enrichment’

CNN reports that Israel has provided information to American officials in “recent weeks” showing that Iran is preparing to enrich uranium to the level of 90 percent.

CNN says two Israeli officials confirmed this news.

This level of uranium enrichment could bring Iran closer than ever before to the threshold of building a nuclear bomb. Enrichment at this level is necessary for building a nuclear bomb.

CNN published this report on Monday, the same day nuclear talks to revive the JCPOA resumed in Vienna after a pause of several months.

Meanwhile, a reporter asked Jalina Porter, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, on Monday whether she could confirm the report regarding Israeli intelligence about 90 percent uranium enrichment. Ms. Porter responded without directly confirming or denying the report: “I’ll just say that we’ve made clear that Iran’s actions constitute a continuation of unconstructive nuclear provocations. [Those actions] are also at odds with Iran’s stated goal of returning bilaterally to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. These matters, as we return to talks, provide Iran no leverage in any negotiations.”

When another reporter asked Porter about the same issue, she said “we’re not going to comment on some intelligence… here” but 90 percent enrichment is “clearly a provocative action.”

Israeli officials have repeatedly expressed their opposition to reviving the JCPOA in recent weeks and months, both domestically and during foreign trips, saying the JCPOA is insufficient to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, JCPOA supporters argue that it was the withdrawal from this agreement that led to the recent advancement of Iran’s nuclear program.

Before CNN, Axios also published the news about Israel sharing intelligence with America.

The United States has warned Tehran about further uranium enrichment. Israel is also lobbying strongly against lifting sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, Iran says it is ready to return to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA only if America lifts the sanctions.

Source: Voice of America