Western Intelligence Reports Believes Iran Moves Toward A Possible Nuclear Bomb Test

FOX News: Iran moves toward possible atom bomb test in defiance of Western sanctions: intel report  

A Dutch report says Iran continues to increase enriched uranium stocks 

A fresh batch of damning European intelligence reports reveal that the Islamic Republic of Iran sought to bypass U.S. and EU sanctions to secure technology for its nuclear weapons program with a view toward testing an atomic bomb. 

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which first published translations of the intelligence documents on its website, the security agencies of Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany revealed sensitive data during the first six months of 2023 on the Iranian regime's illicit nuclear weapons proliferation activities. The reports mainly cover Iran’s alleged illegal conduct in 2022. 

The most shocking revelation in the trove of intelligence data was from the Netherlands General and Intelligence Security Service (AVID) that determined Iran’s astonishingly fast development of weapons-grade uranium "brings the option of a possible [Iranian] first nuclear test closer."  

Read more ....  

Update: Iran's Illicit Procurement Related To Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The Netherlands, Sweden, And Germany During 2022 (MEMRI)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. military says it has options .... US has military options for Iran's nuclear threat, CENTCOM air force chief tells 'Post' (Jerusalem Post).

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Says West Can't Stop Iran From Building Nuclear Weapons

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visits the centrifuges in Tehran, June 11, 2023 [Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA via Reuters]  

SKY News: Iran: The West cannot stop us from building nuclear weapons but a deal is possible  

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's words come at a time of high tension between Iran and Israel, with Israel's leader already having said his country will do "whatever we need to do to defend ourselves". 

The West cannot stop Iran from building nuclear weapons, the country's supreme leader has said. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was speaking on Sunday as tensions continue to mount over the country's nuclear work. In words reported by state media, he said: "Talks about Tehran's nuclear weapons is a lie and [the West] know it.

"We do not want nuclear arms based on our beliefs, otherwise they would not have been able to stop it." A deal with the West over the nuclear programme is possible, the supreme leader said, but only if Tehran can keep its nuclear infrastructure intact.  

Read more .... 

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Says West Can't Stop Iran From Building Nuclear Weapons  

West can't stop Iran from getting nukes, Iran supreme leader says -- FOX News  

Khamenei: West wouldn’t be able to block Iran from nuclear weapon if we wanted one -- Times of Israel  

Nuclear bomb fears are a false ‘excuse’: Iran’s Khamenei -- Al Jazeera 

Iran's Khamenei says 'nothing wrong' with a nuclear deal with the West -- Middle East Eye 

Iran's Khamenei says 'nothing wrong' with US nuclear deal but warns of 'misplaced trust' -- The Cradle

Iran's Underground Nuclear Facility May Resist The U.S. Military’s Most Powerful Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Bombs

 

Warzone/The Drive: Iranian Underground Nuclear Facility May Be A Hard Target For America’s Biggest Bunker Busters  

The U.S.’s heaviest conventional bunker busters may face challenges penetrating new underground tunnels near Iran’s Natanz nuclear site.  

The U.S. military’s most powerful, deeply burrowing Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster bombs, or MOPs, may be unable to penetrate a buried nuclear facility in central Iran, analysis of new satellite images suggests. The Air Force’s 30,000-pound class GBU-57/B MOPs are guided weapons specifically designed to penetrate highly fortified targets such as Iran’s underground nuclear facilities and can impact surfaces above targets with great accuracy. Most recently, a rare ‘live’ MOP was pictured at Whiteman Air Force Base, as you can read more about here.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn’t reach it (AP)  

Update #2: US bombs unlikely to reach underground Iran nuclear site: Report (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: It looks like The U.S. needs to build a bigger and more powerful bomb.

Israel Says Iran Has Enough Nuclear Materials To Build Five Nuclear Bombs

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (right) begins a trip to Greece and Cyprus with a stop in Athens, May 4, 2023. Photo by Ariel Hermoni/Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Jerusalem Post: Iran has enough uranium for five nukes, not just one - Gallant 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed on Thursday that Iran currently has enough enriched uranium for five nuclear weapons, should it decide to weaponize that uranium and complete the detonation and delivery tasks for firing a weapon. “Iran is not sufficing with one nuclear bomb. 

It has already accumulated enough enriched uranium at the 20% and 60% levels for five nuclear bombs,” the defense minister told his hosts during a visit to Greece. 

Gallant added, “If Iran enriches to the 90% weaponized level it would be a great error, and the price would be heavy and there would be consequences which could inflame the Middle East.”  

Read more .... 

Israel Says Iran Has Enough Nuclear Materials To Build Five Nuclear Bombs  

Netanyahu: If Iran could threaten every U.S. city with nuclear extortion, it would change history -- i24 News  

Gallant: Iran has enough nuclear material to build five bombs -- JNS  

Israeli defense minister says Iran has enriched enough material for five nuclear bombs -- All Israel News 

Netanyahu tells members of Congress that Iran could threaten ‘every city in the US’ -- Times Of Israel

Top US General Says Iran Could Make Fuel For A Nuclear Bomb In Less Than 2 Weeks

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley looks on as he attends a news conference with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured), on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 14, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/JOHANNA GERON)  

VOA: Iran Could Make Fuel for Nuclear Bomb in Less Than 2 Weeks, Milley Says  

Iran could make enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb in “less than two weeks” and could produce a nuclear weapon in “several more months,” according to the top U.S. military officer. 

Speaking to members of Congress on Thursday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told lawmakers the United States “remains committed” to preventing Iran from fielding a nuclear weapon. 

“We, the United States military, have developed multiple options for national leadership to consider if or when Iran ever decides to develop an actual nuclear weapon,” Milley added.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US army chief: Iran could produce enough material for nuclear weapon within 2 weeks (Times of Israel)

Update #2: Iran could produce nuclear weapon in matter of months, senior defense official claims (FOX News)

WNU Editor: US General Milley says the US has 'multiple options' ready if Iran develops nuclear weapon .... Top US general says 'multiple options' ready if Iran develops nuclear weapon (Al-Monitor). More here .... Top US general: 'Multiple options' exist if Iran decides to build a bomb (Jerusalem Post).

Top US Defense Official Says Iran Could Produce Enough Material For One Nuclear Device In 'About 12 Says'

Technicians work at the Arak heavy water reactor's secondary circuit, as officials and media visit the site, near Arak, Iran, December 23, 2019. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)  

Reuters: Iran can make fissile material for a bomb 'in about 12 days' - U.S. official 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran could make enough fissile for one nuclear bomb in "about 12 days," a top U.S. Defense Department official said on Tuesday, down from the estimated one year it would have taken while the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was in effect. 

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl made the comment to a House of Representatives hearing when pressed by a Republican lawmaker why the Biden administration had sought to revive the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 "Because Iran's nuclear progress since we left the JCPOA has been remarkable. Back in 2018, when the previous administration decided to leave the JCPOA it would have taken Iran about 12 months to produce one bomb's worth of fissile material. Now it would take about 12 days," Kahl, the third ranking Defense Department official, told lawmakers. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Iran can make enough material for nuclear device in 'about 12 days,' US official says -- ABC News  

Update #2: Top US Defense official says Iran could produce ‘one bomb’s worth of fissile material’ in ‘about 12 days’ -- CNN 

WNU Editor: On a side note. Israel has a different opinion from CIA Director Burns' assessment concerning Iran's nuclear weapons program .... Ex-IDF intel. chief contradicts CIA chief on potential Iranian nuclear threat (Jerusalem Post).

CIA Director Burns Says Iran Could Enrich Uranium To Weapons-Grade Within Weeks If It Chooses

CIA Dir. Bill Burns says he doesn't believe Iran has made a decision to resume its nuclear weapons program.

But, its efforts to enrich uranium and ability to deliver a nuclear weapon once they develop it, are "advancing" at what he tells @margbrennan is "a worrisome pace." pic.twitter.com/sdizKcxpoN

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 26, 2023

Times Of Israel: CIA chief: Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade within weeks if it chooses  

William Burns says US doesn’t believe Iranian supreme leader has made decision to pursue weaponization, after Tehran found to have enriched uranium to 84% purity 

The head of the Central Intelligence Agency has warned that Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade within weeks, but said the United States does not believe Iranian leaders have yet decided to do so. 

The comment by William Burns, made during an interview with CBS News aired Saturday, came after inspectors from the UN atomic agency found uranium in Iran enriched to 84 percent purity, the closest its been to the 90% purity needed for nuclear weapons.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: CIA director: Iran's nuclear program advancing at "worrisome pace" -- CBS Face The Nation

Update #2: Transcript: CIA director William Burns on "Face the Nation," Feb. 26, 2023 -- Face The Nation  

WNU Editor: The CIA Director is also saying that he see signs that Russia is helping Iran's missile program (see video below).

The partnership between Iran and Russia is "moving at a pretty fast clip in a very dangerous direction," CIA Dir. Bill Burns says. He sees signs that "Russia is proposing to help the Iranians on their missile program."

It's a "quite disturbing set of developments," Burns adds. pic.twitter.com/vaSU0XOWCF

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 26, 2023

Israeli Army Says 'Iran Has Enough Enriched Uranium To Make 4 Nuclear Bombs'

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi. AFP  

Middle East Monitor: 'Iran has enough enriched uranium to make 4 nuclear bombs,' Israeli army says 

Iran currently has enough enriched uranium to make four nuclear bombs, Israel's outgoing military chief informed reporters on Friday. 

"Iran today has enough enriched material to produce four nuclear bombs, three at 20 per cent and one at 60 per cent," Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported outgoing Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi telling reporters.

Kochavi shared that over the last year, the Israeli army prepared three programmes to launch an attack in Iran as a retaliatory strike, unrelated to the nuclear programme, to destroy nuclear facilities supporting the nuclear project. 

Read more .... 

Update: Israel warns Iran is on verge of nuclear bomb (Express)  

WNU Editor: Iran's nuclear program is without a doubt going to be Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's number one foreign and national security concern.

Iran Has Started Enriching Uranium To 60% Purity At Its Fordow Plant

 

CNN: Nuclear watchdog says Iran enriching up to 60% at underground Fordow nuclear facility  

Iran has begun producing uranium enriched up to 60% in its underground Fordow nuclear facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday, bringing the country closer to weapons grade material.

“Iran had started producing high enriched uranium – UF6 enriched up to 60% - using the existing two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges in the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in addition to such production that has taken place at Natanz since April 2021,” the IAEA said in a statement. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: They are getting there .... 'Iran has never been closer to the verge of nuclear weapons than it is today' (France 24). 

Iran Has Started Enriching Uranium To 60% Purity At Its Fordow Plant 

Iran says it enriches uranium to 60% purity at Fordo site -- AP  

Iran enriching to up to 60% at Fordow, plans massive expansion, IAEA says -- Reuters 

Iran planning massive expansion of uranium capacity – UN nuclear watchdog -- The Guardian  

Iran reportedly enriching uranium at 60% purity at underground Fordow facility -- FOX News  

Iran: UN nuclear watchdog says Tehran is enriching up to 60% at underground facility -- Euronews 

Iran ramps up uranium production after censure by nuclear watchdog agency -- UPI  

US, Europe condemn Iran as IAEA confirms uranium enrichment ramping up -- Times of Israel

US Intelligence Believes Iran Is Seeking Russia’s Help To Bolster Its Nuclear Program

FOREIGN MINISTERS Sergei Lavrov of Russia (center) Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey (right) and Mohammad Zarif of Iran issued a declaration Tuesday on bringing an end to the Syrian civil war. (photo credit: REUTERS)  

CNN: Exclusive: Iran is seeking Russia’s help to bolster its nuclear program, US intel officials believe 

Iran is seeking Russia’s help to bolster its nuclear program, US intelligence officials believe, as Tehran looks for a backup plan should a lasting nuclear deal with world powers fail to materialize. 

The intelligence suggests that Iran has been asking Russia for help acquiring additional nuclear materials and with nuclear fuel fabrication, sources briefed on the matter said. The fuel could help Iran power its nuclear reactors and could potentially further shorten Iran’s so-called “breakout time” to create a nuclear weapon. 

Experts emphasized to CNN, however, that the nuclear proliferation risk varies depending on which reactor the fuel is used for. And it is also not clear whether Russia has agreed to help – the Kremlin has long been outwardly opposed to Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Iran seeking nuclear help from Russia in exchange for weapons -CNN (Jerusalem Post)  

Update #2: US intelligence believes Iran wants nuclear weapons from Russia (Bol News)  

WNU Editor: When it comes to Russia and Iran the US is also worried about this (see below):  

US worried Russia may try to buy more advanced weapons from Iran -- The Hill 

US Concerned Over Possible Iran's Missile Aid To Russia -- NDTV  

White House: Concerned Moscow May Be Advising Iran on Best Practices to Manage Protests -- Reuters  

Five things to know about Putin’s increasing reliance on Iran -- The Hill

Swedish Intel Report Claims Iran Is “Conducting Industrial Espionage" Targeting Companies That Can Be Used In Their Nuclear Weapons Program

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reviews new nuclear achievements during the country’s National Nuclear Energy Day in Tehran, April 10, 2021. Credit: Iranian Presidency Office.  

JNS: Iran’s regime sought tech for nuclear weapons, say Swedish and German intel reports 

An 80-page Swedish intelligence report reviewed by JNS claims Iran “conducts industrial espionage such as primarily aimed at Swedish high-tech industry and Swedish products that can be used in a nuclear weapons program.” 

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s efforts to secure illicit nuclear technology is detailed in an intelligence report recently released by Sweden’s Security Service. 

According to the Swedish Security Service Yearbook report released in March, which covers the year 2021, “Iran also conducts industrial espionage such as primarily aimed at Swedish high-tech industry and Swedish products that can be used in a nuclear weapons program.” 

It added, “Iranian intelligence officers act, among other things, under diplomatic cover in Sweden.”  

Read more ....  

Update: Iran’s regime caught seeking nuclear weapons technology in Sweden (FOX News)  

WNU Editor:Sweden does have a large nuclear program albeit focused on providing energy and not building nuclear weapons (link here).

MI6 Spy Chief Richard Moore Says Iran Doesn't Want A Nuclear Deal

MI6 Chief Richard Moore  

Reuters: Iran doesn't want a nuclear deal, British spy chief says 

ASPEN, Colorado (Reuters) -Britain's spy chief said on Thursday he was skeptical that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei actually wants to revive a nuclear deal with world powers but said Tehran won't try to halt talks either. 

Richard Moore, chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) known as MI6, said he still believed that reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement was the best way to constrain Iran's nuclear program. Under the deal, Iran had limited its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions. 

Read more .... 

MI6 Spy Chief Richard Moore Says Iran Doesn't Want A Nuclear Deal  

UK spy chief says he doesn’t think Iran supreme leader wants to reach nuclear deal -- Times of Israel  

UK spy chief doubts Iran Supreme Leader will back nuclear deal -- AFP  

‘Skeptical’ Iran wants renewed nuclear deal, MI6 chief says -- Politico

Iran Disconnects UN Surveillance Cameras At Nuclear Site

NBC: Iran turns off two U.N. monitoring cameras at nuclear site 

The U.N. atomic agency cameras are part of an inspections regime that Iran agreed to under the 2015 nuclear deal. President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal. 

Iran says it has turned off two U.N. cameras monitoring its nuclear work, just as the United States and European governments were poised to rebuke Tehran over the regime’s failure to cooperate with an international probe of its nuclear program. 

The move cast fresh doubts on efforts to restore a 2015 nuclear deal designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and underscored rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. 

Iran announced the step through state television and other media outlets, saying two cameras from the International Atomic Energy Agency had been deactivated, but did not specify which nuclear site was affected or offer further details.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Iran is upset about this .... Nuclear watchdog censures Iran over uranium traces - diplomats (BBC). 

 Iran Disconnects UN Surveillance Cameras At Nuclear Site  

Iran says 2 UN watchdog devices at nuclear site turned off -- AP  

Iran disconnects nuclear site cameras as IAEA raises concern over uranium traces -- France 24  

Iran shuts down UN surveillance cameras at nuclear site amid stalled talks -- Washington Examiner 

Iran turns off nuclear site cameras in response to IAEA -- Al-Monitor  

Iran shuts down nuclear watchdog’s cameras -- RT

IAEA Strikes Deal With Iran To Replace Cameras At Nuclear Site. Access To Video Footage Will Be Limited

Iran has allowed IAEA – the UN nuclear watchdog – to replace its cameras at a centrifuge parts workshop in Karaj. (AFP)  

The Hill: Iran to allow cameras at nuclear site, UN watchdog says 

The United Nations has reached a deal with Iran to replace cameras at an Iranian facility producing advanced centrifuges and other parts that enrich uranium for potential nuclear weapon development. 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will reinstall cameras at the Karaj facility by the end of the month, which will replace those Iran had taken down in June after the complex was bombed in an attack Iranian officials blamed on Israel. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Here is the IAEA announcement .... IAEA and Iran Reach Agreement on Replacing Surveillance Cameras at Karaj Facility (United Nations). 

To me this deal makes no sense. Why install cameras when your access to its footage will be limited? 

IAEA Strikes Deal With Iran To Replace Cameras At Nuclear Site   

U.N. watchdog says Iran will replace cameras at nuclear site. Access remains limited -- NPR/AP  

IAEA strikes deal with Iran on replacing cameras at sabotaged workshop -- Reuters  

Iran lets UN replace nuclear site's damaged cameras: Reports -- Arab News/AFP  

Iran allows IAEA to reinstall cameras at Karaj nuclear facility -- Al Jazeera

CIA Director Says No Evidence Iran Has Decided To Weaponize It's Nuclear Program

CIA Director William Burns. Tom Williams/Pool via REUTERS  

Times Of Israel: No evidence Iran has decided to weaponize nuclear program, CIA chief says  

William Burns laments that Tehran has not been taking negotiations seriously after seventh round of talks produced no breakthroughs 

The head of the Central Intelligence Agency said Monday that the United States does not have evidence that Iran has made a decision to weaponize its nuclear program. 

The US spy agency “doesn’t see any evidence that Iran’s Supreme Leader [Ali Khamenei] has made a decision to move to weaponize,” CIA Director William Burns told the Wall Street Journal’s annual CEO Council, according to CBS News. 

Iran has been accelerating its nuclear enrichment in recent months in what some analysts believe is a negotiation tactic in the ongoing Vienna talks aimed at reviving the multilateral nuclear accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: CIA chief says no evidence Iran is weaponizing nuclear program (i24 News)  

Update #2: CIA chief: No evidence Iran has decided to weaponize nuclear program (7 Israel National News)  

WNU Editor: The nuclear talks are to resume this Thursday .... Renewed Iran nuclear talks seen Thursday, but France discouraged (Reuters).

Was Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Just Attacked For The Third Time 2 Years?

FILE PHOTO: A view of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility © REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi  

Daily Mail: 'Huge explosion' heard near Iran's Natanz nuclear facility as regime claims it was 'testing its air defences' in exercise 

* Bright light being seen in the sky near the Natanz facility in the Badroud region 

* Regime confirmed blast was part of a missile test for Iran's air defense system 

* It comes as talks over returning to nuclear deal continue to be held in Vienna 

A 'huge explosion' heard near a nuclear facility in Iran on Saturday was part of a military exercise, the regime has confirmed. The blast was heard in the skies over the Iranian city of Badroud, just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Natanz nuclear plant, the official IRNA news agency reported. Spokesman of the Iranian army, General Amir Tarikhani, confirmed it was part of a missile test and told state television there was no cause for concern.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I suspect a few satellites are checking out this Iranian nuclear site right now. 

More News On Reports That A 'Huge Explosion' Heard Near Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility  

Iran explosion near Natanz nuclear facility a controlled test -- Al Jazeera  

Explosion reported in sky near Iranian nuclear facility -- Washington Examiner  

Blast heard near Iran’s Natanz nuclear site; officials cite air defense test -- Times of Israel/AFP  

Iran's Army Says Air-Defense 'Test' Behind Blast Over Nuclear City Of Natanz -- RFE  

Iran Fires Missile Over Natanz in Unannounced Air Defense Drill -- VOA 

Iran explains blast heard near major nuclear facility -- RT  

Jerusalem Post: Sabotage at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility 3.0? - Analysis Jerusale Post

Iran's Former Nuclear Chief Hints That Tehran's Nuclear Program Was Focused On Nuclear Weapons

Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, the ex-head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, has hinted that Tehran's nuclear programme was geared towards creating a nuclear bomb  

Daily Mail: Iranian nuclear chief hints Tehran's atomic programme WAS geared towards building a nuclear bomb 

* Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani has admitted a nuclear 'system' was in place in Iran 

* He said the programme encompassed 'satellites, missiles and nuclear weapons' 

* Leaders have always claimed the nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes 

* It comes as talks on Iran's nuclear capabilities reopened today after five months 

A former Iranian nuclear chief has hinted that top scientists in Tehran have been secretly building nuclear bombs despite decades of denials. 

Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, the ex-head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, admitted a 'system' existed with military capabilities. 

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had even issued a fatwa against developing and using nuclear weaponry and leaders repeatedly claimed its nuclear sites were only ever intended for peaceful purposes.  

Read more ....  

Update: Former Iranian nuclear head hints Fakhrizadeh worked on nuclear weapons (Jerusalem Post)  

WNU Editor: This is who Fereydoon Abbasi Davani is, and why his remarks are important .... Who is Fereydoon Abbasi Davani? (NCRI).

CENTCOM General Says Iran Is Nearly Able To Build A Nuclear Weapon

General Kenneth McKenzie said he believes Iran is "very close this time" to developing a nuclear weapon (AFP)  

Time: 'They're Very Close.' U.S. General Says Iran Is Nearly Able to Build a Nuclear Weapon 

Less than a week before world powers resume negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East says his forces stand ready with a potential military option should talks fail.

“Our president said they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, tells TIME. 

“The diplomats are in the lead on this, but Central Command always has a variety of plans that we could execute, if directed.”  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The same US General is saying that military options are on the table .... US general says military option prepared in case Iran talks fail (Jerusalem Post). More here .... US military 'prepared' if Iran nuclear talks fail (Middle East Eye) 

CENTCOM General Says Iran Is Nearly Able To Build A Nuclear Weapon  

Top US general says Iran ‘very close’ to bomb, plans are ready if diplomacy fails -- Times Of Israel  

Top general warns Iran ‘very close’ to having nuclear weapon capability -- NYPost  

Top US General Says Iran ‘Very Close’ to Being Able to Build Nuclear Weapon -- Sputnik

Iran Has Resumed Production Of Advanced Nuclear-Program Parts While Ignoring The Oversight Of IAEA Inspectors

Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, via AP  

Zero Hedge: Iran Restarts Production Of Advanced Nuclear-Program Parts Just Ahead Of Resuming Vienna Talks 

Iran recently announced that its negotiators are set to resume nuclear talks with global powers at Vienna, including indirectly with the US, starting Nov.29 after JCPOA nuclear deal negotiations have been stalled since last June. 

But this anticipated resumption date is itself looking shaky, after on Tuesday The Wall Street Journal cited diplomats familiar with the talks who say the Islamic Republic has resumed production of advanced nuclear-program parts while ignoring the oversight of IAEA inspectors.  

Read more ....  

Update: Iran's Stockpile of Near-Weapons-Grade Nuclear Fuel Grows, U.N. Finds (WSJ)  

WNU Editor: Another sign that Iran's real focus is to continue developing its nuclear program.

Iran Says It Has Enriched Over 210 Kilograms Of Uranium To 20% Ahead Of Vienna Talks

Photojournalists take pictures of an Iranian technician walking at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), 420 kms south of Tehran, 03 February 2007. © AFP / Behrouz Meri  

Times of Israel: Iran boasts of boosting its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to 25 kg 

As nuclear talks set to resume, IAEA warns of limited access while Iranian atomic agency brags that only countries ‘with nuclear arms’ are able to enrich uranium at such levels 

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said it has almost doubled its stock of enriched uranium in less than a month, as it prepares to resume talks with world powers on curbing its nuclear program. 

Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned on Thursday that its oversight capabilities in Iran are being weakened. 

“We have more than 210 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, and we’ve produced 25 kilos at 60%, a level that no country apart from those with nuclear arms are able to produce,” said Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, in a report carried by the semi-official Tasnim and Fars news agencies.  

Read more .... 

More News On Iranian Claims That It Has Enriched Over 210 Kilograms Of Uranium To 20%

20% enriched uranium stockpile exceeds 210 kg -- MEHR News Agency (Iran)  

Iran says has enriched over 210 kilograms of uranium to 20% -- AP

Iran claims it's almost doubled stockpile of enriched uranium with nuclear talks set to resume -- CBS/AFP  

Iran increases enriched uranium stockpile ahead of Vienna talks -- Al-Monitor  

Iran reveals increase in 60% enriched uranium stockpile -- RT