Media: Israel has informed Washington that Iran is preparing for "90% enrichment"

CNN says that Israel has provided US officials with information in "recent weeks" that shows Iran is preparing to enrich uranium to 90 percent.

CNN says two Israeli officials have confirmed the news.

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

This CNN report was published on Monday, the same day that negotiations to revive the JCPOA resumed in Vienna after a break of several months.

Meanwhile, a reporter asked Galina Porter, a spokeswoman for the US State Department, on Monday whether she would confirm the report of Israeli intelligence on the enrichment of uranium to 90 percent. Without directly confirming or denying the report, Ms. Porter replied: “I will simply say that we have made clear that Iran’s continued nuclear provocations are counterproductive. [Those actions] also contradict Iran’s stated goal of a bilateral return to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. These things, as we return to the talks, do not provide Iran with any leverage in any negotiations.”

In response to another reporter's question on the same subject, Porter said, "We don't comment on certain information... here," but that enrichment at 90 percent is "clearly a provocative action."

Israeli officials have repeatedly stated their opposition to the revival of the JCPOA in recent weeks and months, both at home and abroad, saying it is insufficient to prevent Iran's nuclear ambitions. But JCPOA supporters say that it was the withdrawal from the agreement that led to the recent progress of Iran's nuclear program.

Before CNN, Axios had also published news about Israel sharing intelligence with the United States.

The United States has warned Tehran against further enriching uranium. Israel is also lobbying hard against lifting sanctions on Iran. Iran, on the other hand, says it is ready to return to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA only if the United States lifts sanctions.

Source: Voice of America