Friday,9 July 2021 (YJC) _ A Saudi foreign ministry official claimed the country is concerned about increased nuclear activities by Iran.
Saudi Arabia is concerned about increased nuclear activities by Iran which threaten regional security, a Saudi foreign ministry official claimed, after Tehran started the process of producing enriched uranium metal.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday Iran had begun the enrichment process, a move that could help it develop a nuclear weapon and was criticised by the United States and European powers.
Washington and its European allies saw the move as a threat to talks on reviving a 2015 deal that imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions.
Riyadh "is greatly concerned about the increased pace of Iran's nuclear activities and development of capabilities ... that are not consistent with peaceful purposes", the Saudi official said in response to a Reuters request for comment.
The official said Iran's moves to produce uranium enriched to 60% fissile purity and uranium metal to 20% "represent an increasing threat" to regional security and non-proliferation of weapons.
They hamper efforts to secure "a comprehensive nuclear deal that ensures global and regional security and stability," the official said.
Global powers have been in talks with Tehran since early April to revive the 2015 deal. Washington withdrew from the pact three years ago, and Iran has responded by gradually breaching its restrictions.