During a visit to Lisbon, Portugal, Araghchi stated that Western “threats” could push debates in Iran toward pursuing nuclear weapons. His remarks reflect the regime’s broader strategy of nuclear extortion, aimed at pressuring Western powers into refraining from decisive action against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Speaking to reporters, Araghchi announced that Iran has activated thousands of advanced centrifuges in response to a recent resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “Gas injection into these state-of-the-art centrifuges has already begun,” he declared, attributing the move to perceived Western hostility. Although Iran is currently capping uranium enrichment at 60%, Araghchi emphasized that this restraint is conditional and could shift based on external pressures.
#Iran’s Regime Gripped by Fear Over Potential Activation of #UNSC Snapback Mechanismhttps://t.co/ZQmuuxPniw
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 24, 2024
While maintaining that Iran has the expertise to develop nuclear weapons, Araghchi claimed that such measures are not aligned with Tehran’s security strategy. However, his comments conveyed a dual message—portraying Iran as a victim of Western bad faith while issuing veiled threats to escalate. Araghchi criticized the West for failing to lift sanctions as promised during previous negotiations, warning that triggering the snapback mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions would lead Iran to reconsider its nuclear strategy entirely.
“If this happens, everyone in Iran will be convinced that our approach has been fundamentally mistaken, and we will face a crisis,” Araghchi asserted. He also dismissed allegations of Iran supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, framing the regime’s military cooperation with Moscow as “legitimate and long-standing.”
#Iran News:
Officials Call for Higher Enrichment, #NPT Exit, and Even Nuclear Bomb Developmenthttps://t.co/NbqapEaqWc— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 25, 2024
The deployment of advanced centrifuges and Araghchi’s statements underline a calculated strategy: leveraging Iran’s nuclear program to intimidate the West while continuing its illicit activities. Analysts view these moves as attempts to exploit the West’s reluctance to escalate the crisis, particularly as Tehran faces domestic unrest, economic instability, and increasing international isolation.
To counter Tehran’s nuclear brinkmanship, experts argue that a firm and united global response is essential. Reactivating the snapback mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions is seen as a critical step to curb Iran’s defiance and hold the regime accountable. Without decisive action, Tehran’s strategy of nuclear blackmail risks undermining international security and emboldening further escalation.
