Tehran vows to open secret enrichment site as UN watchdog delivers damning verdict while Netanyahu considers attacking ‘within days’
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United Nations nuclear watchdog has formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades, prompting Tehran to immediately announce plans for a new “secure” uranium enrichment facility.
The explosive development comes as sources reveal Israel is actively considering military action against Iran within days – and is prepared to act without American support, according to multiple US media reports.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors voted Thursday to censure Iran, with 19 of the 35 member nations supporting the resolution that could pave the way for the reimposition of crushing UN sanctions.
IRAN’S DEFIANT RESPONSE
Within hours of the vote, Iran struck back with a chilling announcement that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution,” Tehran declared in a joint statement from its Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization.
The regime immediately informed the IAEA of “specific and effective” retaliatory measures, including the launch of a third secure enrichment site at an undisclosed location.
The implication of this is that our production of enriched materials will significantly increase,” warned Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, speaking to state television.
SECRET NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES EXPOSED
The IAEA’s damning report revealed that Iran had concealed nuclear activities and failed to declare materials at three sites – Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Marivan – which were “part of an undeclared structured nuclear program.
According to the resolution: “Iran’s many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the Agency with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran… constitutes non-compliance.”
The watchdog found Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms of highly enriched uranium – enough fuel for 10 nuclear weapons – with additional stocks at lower enrichment levels that could fuel more bombs with further processing.
ISRAEL READY TO STRIKE ALONE
As diplomatic efforts falter, Israel appears poised to take matters into its own hands.
Capitol Hill sources and officials familiar with the matter told NBC News that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is seriously considering a unilateral strike on Iran, viewing provisions in US-Iran negotiations as “unacceptable.
CBS News reports that Israel is “fully prepared to launch a military operation against Iran,” with the US State Department ordering all non-emergency personnel to evacuate from Iraq and activating emergency committees at embassies within range of Iranian missiles.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized that Iran’s nuclear weapons development represents “an existential threat to both Israel and the United States.
TRUMP’S TOUGH TALK
President Donald Trump, who is reportedly in advanced discussions with Iran about a diplomatic deal, delivered a stark warning when asked about rising tensions.
“Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to allow that,” Trump told reporters.
However, the president struck a less optimistic tone about negotiations in a recent podcast, saying he was “getting more and more less confident about” reaching a deal with Tehran.
RACE AGAINST TIME
The West faces a ticking clock, with the authority to “snapback” sanctions from the 2015 nuclear deal expiring in October. This puts enormous pressure on diplomats to resolve the crisis before losing that crucial leverage.
This historic planned resolution is a first positive step toward referring Tehran’s case back to the UN Security Council for the snapback of multilateral Iran sanctions,” said Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
INTERNATIONAL DIVISIONS
The IAEA vote exposed deep international divisions, with Russia, China, and Burkina Faso voting against the resolution, while 11 countries abstained and two didn’t vote at all.
Iran had threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty altogether if censured, raising the stakes even higher.
NEW UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
Iran already operates two underground enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz and has been building tunnels in mountains near Natanz following suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.
The new “secure location” facility announced Thursday would be Iran’s third such site, dramatically expanding its nuclear capabilities.
Kamalvandi also revealed plans to replace old centrifuges with advanced models at Fordo, further accelerating uranium enrichment.
DIPLOMATIC LIFELINE REMAINS
Despite the tensions, the resolution stressed “support for a diplomatic solution,” with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff scheduled to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday.
A senior Western diplomat described the resolution as a “serious step” but insisted Western nations are “not closing the door to diplomacy.”
However, if Iran fails to cooperate, an extraordinary IAEA board meeting could be held this summer, potentially referring the matter to the UN Security Council and triggering the reimposition of international sanctions.
As the nuclear crisis deepens, the Middle East stands on the brink of a potential new conflict that could have catastrophic consequences for regional stability and global security.
