Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reached a new and dangerous threshold this Tuesday (12). The Iranian government officially declared that it could elevate uranium enrichment to 90% purity—the level required for the manufacture of nuclear weapons—should the United States restart military attacks in the region.
The statement was issued by Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament, via a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter). The message serves as a “final warning” to Washington at a time when the regional conflict threatens to spill over into a direct war between the two powers.
The Nuclear Threshold
Currently, Iran maintains its enrichment activities at around 60%. While this level is already significantly higher than the 3.67% permitted by the original 2015 nuclear deal, the jump to 90% represents the final frontier for atomic militarization. International security experts point out that the country already possesses the technical knowledge and raw material necessary for this transition.
Technical Data – Enrichment (May 2026):
- Current Stockpile: Approximately 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60%.
- Conversion Time: Analysts estimate that Iran would need only two to three weeks to reach the 90% level with its current stockpile.
- Capacity: The accumulated volume would be sufficient to produce at least three nuclear warheads after final processing.
International Reaction and Risks
The international community is watching with concern at what it calls “nuclear blackmail.” While Tehran maintains that its program is for peaceful purposes, the threat to reach weapons-grade enrichment is seen as a deterrence strategy against U.S. conventional military superiority.
| Enrichment Level | Common Use | Risk Status |
| 3% to 5% | Civil power reactors | Low (Commercial use) |
| 20% | Medical research and isotopes | Medium (IAEA Alert) |
| 60% | Weapons threshold | High (Pre-military) |
| 90% | Nuclear Warheads | Critical (Weapons Grade) |
Conflict Context
The declaration comes amid U.S. naval movements in the Persian Gulf and attacks by Iranian-backed militias against American bases. If Iran decides to advance to 90%, the world could face an unprecedented arms race in the Middle East, forcing neighboring powers such as Israel and Saudi Arabia to recalibrate their own defenses and nuclear ambitions.
