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The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran\u2019s 60% enrichment is a \u201cnear weapons-grade\u201d level. Iran is also accused of developing and testing ballistic missiles in its wide-ranging violation of a 2015 nuclear agreement.<\/p>\n
It was signed by the UK, US, Russia, China and France \u2013 and endorsed by the UN \u2013 to limit Iran to levels necessary for peaceful use of nuclear power.<\/p>\n
In return, economic sanctions were lifted. But yesterday Britain, France and Germany told the UN Security Council in New York that Tehran\u2019s powerful stockpile was unprecedented for a country supposedly without a nuclear weapons programme.<\/p>\n
The trio were strongly supported by America, which pulled out of the 2015 agreement \u2013 known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) \u2013 when Donald Trump was president in 2018.<\/p>\n
Iran began breaking the terms a year later. The three European nations said in a statement to yesterday\u2019s Security Council meeting: \u201cThere is no credible civilian justification for the state of Iran\u2019s nuclear programme.<\/p>\n
The current trajectory only brings Iran closer to weapons-related capabilities.\u201dIt continued: \u201cIran transferred \u00adhundreds of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] to Russia, deliberately supporting Russia\u2019s war of aggression against Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Deliveries took place in the knowledge that Russia uses them to target Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Royal Navy’s downing of drone hailed after first attack in 12 years<\/strong><\/p>\n But the allegations were immediately dismissed by Iran and its ally Russia. Amir Saeid Iravani, Tehran\u2019s representative, said his nation was allowed to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.<\/p>\n He also rejected the allegation that Vladimir Putin was using Iranian drones in Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he still considered the JCPOA \u201cthe best available option to ensure that the Iranian nuclear programme remains exclusively peaceful\u201d.<\/p>\n John Kelley, for the US, said: \u201cThe United States is committed to resolving the international community\u2019s concerns regarding Iran\u2019s nuclear programme. Unfortunately, Iran\u2019s actions suggest this goal is not its priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n