Iran acknowledges accusation it enriched uranium to 84%

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is directly acknowledging an accusation attributed to international inspectors that it enriched uranium to 84% purity for the first time, which would put the Islamic Republic closer than ever to weapons-grade material. The acknowledgement by a news outlet linked to Iran’s theocracy renews pressure on the West to address Tehran’s program. It had been contained by the 2015 nuclear deal from which America unilaterally withdrew in 2018. Years of attacks across the Middle East have followed. Already Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening to take military action similar to when Israel bombed nuclear programs in Iraq and Syria.