Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iran’s Intelligence Minister reiterated that the Islamic Republic is more likely to encounter new diplomatic pressures rather than face consequences for its program, without offering proof that Tehran captured the “critical finance ministry” of information regarding the Israeli nuclear program on Sunday.
Esmail Khatib’s statements follow claims from Iranian state television on Saturday, asserting that the Iranian intelligence agency has once again obtained documents without any evidence. Israel, known for its undeclared atomic weapons program as the sole country in the Middle East with nuclear arms, has not acknowledged such operations aimed at it. However, arrests have been made involving Israelis allegedly spying for Tehran. Israeli Hamas War in the Gaza Strip.
In the meantime, Iran is expected to face scrutiny this week from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Governor’s Committee regarding years of unanswered questions about its program. Iran also appears to reject proposals from the US Five rounds of negotiations on nuclear program, setting the stage for a prolonged crisis that may escalate.
The secret claim “treasury” lacks evidence
In response to inquiries from television reporters in Iranian provinces on Sunday after a cabinet meeting, Khatib stated that members of the Intelligence Ministry “have acquired the important treasury ministry of strategic, operational, and scientific intelligence of the Zionist regime and were transported to the country with divine assistance.”
He claimed that thousands of pages of documents would be made available soon, including documents regarding the US, Europe, and other nations, obtained through “penetration” and “access to sources.”
He did not provide details on the methods used. However, cleric Khatib was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022 in connection with directing “cyberspy and ransomware operations for Iran’s political objectives.”
This assertion may be aimed at demonstrating to the populace that the theocracy can take action. 2018 Israeli business previously celebrated what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a “half-ton” of documents related to Iran’s program. That announcement coincided with President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, which had significantly curtailed its programs in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
We are signaling, so we will announce it before the IAEA Board of Directors’ vote.
Western nations are anticipated to present proposals to the IAEA Governor’s Committee earlier this week, indicating Iran’s violations of the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This may be the first time in decades and could prompt the UN Security Council to tackle the issue.
This situation could empower one of the Western countries party to the 2015 nuclear deal to invoke the so-called “snapback” of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The authority to restore these sanctions due to requests from original nuclear deal members will expire in October. Thus, Western powers are pressed for time to apply pressure on Tehran regarding its program.
Currently, Iran is enriching uranium to levels of up to 60%, a short technical step away from the 90% weapon-grade threshold. Tehran possesses highly enriched uranium sufficient for constructing multiple atomic bombs if it chooses to proceed.
Without engaging with the US, Iran’s long-standing economy risks descending into a free fall, exacerbating domestic instability. Israel or the United States might execute long-standing airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Experts express concern that Tehran could decide to cease cooperation with the IAEA and hasten its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
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Nasser Karimi, a writer for the Associated Press in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
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Source: apnews.com