JERUSALEM: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a U.N. body, reported Wednesday that Iran has significantly increased its production of uranium enriched to levels that could be used to create six nuclear weapons. The IAEA also emphasized that Tehran has failed to address unresolved concerns regarding its nuclear program.
According to a Reuters report cited by the IAEA, “The substantial increase in the production and stockpiling of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only nation without nuclear weapons to produce such material, raises serious concerns.”
Last week, Iranian regime media quoted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Ebrahim Jabbari as saying, “Operation True Promise 3 will be executed at the appropriate moment, precisely, and on a scale sufficient to destroy Israel and level Tel Aviv and Haifa.”
In 2024, Tehran’s regime launched two large-scale aerial assaults against Israel, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who was also President Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel, issued a stark warning about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambition to eliminate Israel and the United States.
Huckabee told Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria” on Wednesday that Iran’s regime is “crazy enough to use” a nuclear weapon, adding, “when someone continually threatens to kill you, you must take them seriously and preempt their attack.”
He continued, “The Iranians must be taken seriously. They have consistently stated that Israel is the appetizer, and the United States is the main course. They aim to annihilate not only Israel, but ultimately the rest of us as well.”
Trump reinstated sanctions on Iran’s government to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons and sponsoring terrorism globally. The U.S. State Department, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Huckabee stated, “When President Trump was in office, his maximum pressure policy bankrupted Iran. He didn’t need to bomb them; he bankrupted them. They lacked funds to support groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. When Joe Biden took office and eased the pressure, they regained funds, financed terrorism, and resumed building their bomb. Now, thankfully, the president has reinstated economic pressure on Iran, which is a positive step.”
Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told Digital, “Gov. Huckabee’s comments highlight the threat Iran’s regime poses to the U.S. and its allies. This is why presidents have consistently stated that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable and that the U.S. will use all available means to prevent it. A key aspect of Tehran’s strategy is the destruction of Israel, along with anti-Americanism.”
He added, “This will not change as long as the Islamic Republic remains in power and Ali Khamenei or a similar successor remains in charge. Therefore, weakening the regime and depriving it of resources through maximum pressure is essential.”
Reuters contributed to this report.