US Secretary Blinken Sounds Alarm on Iran's Accelerated Nuclear Breakout Time

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that Iran's breakout time to produce weapons-grade nuclear material is now just one or two weeks. The Biden administration is focusing on diplomacy to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but acknowledges the complexities post-2018 deal withdrawal.

At the Aspen Security Forum, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed grave concerns over Iran's expedited nuclear breakout time, now estimated at merely one or two weeks. This development follows Tehran's continued acceleration of its nuclear program, according to a CNN report.

Blinken highlighted that the dissolution of the nuclear agreement has drastically reduced the time Iran needs to achieve breakout capacity for producing fissile material. Although Iran has not yet crafted a nuclear weapon, the country's advancements are being closely monitored.

The US policy remains focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons through diplomatic means. Despite over a year of indirect negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal, efforts tanked in 2022 due to disputes over an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The US now finds a return to the JCPOA deal unfeasible, given Iran's recent actions and escalating regional activities.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller underscored that Iran's policy direction remains firmly under the control of the supreme leader, minimizing expectations from the recent presidential election to alter Iran's trajectory.

(With inputs from agencies.)