The ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated further as the US and its key European allies clashed with Iran and Russia over Tehran's expanding nuclear program at a U.N. Security Council meeting. The US, France, Britain, and Germany accused Iran of escalating its nuclear activities beyond the limits agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal and of failing to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [f5097e12].
The meeting followed an IAEA report that confirmed Iran has more than 142 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, which is a step away from weapons-grade level. The US vowed to use all means necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, while remaining committed to resolving concerns through diplomacy. France, Germany, and the UK stated that some of Iran's nuclear advances are irreversible. Russia called on the European parties to the agreement and the US to return to the negotiating table in Vienna [f5097e12] [93f4095f].
The US sanctions on shipping companies transporting Iranian oil add another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between the two countries. The US believes that Iran's recent actions to expand its nuclear program are a step towards obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Iran's government denies seeking a nuclear weapon and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only [93f4095f] [f5097e12].
It remains to be seen how Iran will respond to these sanctions and the clash at the UN Security Council. The US and its allies are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while Iran and Russia accuse the US and its allies of continuing to apply economic sanctions that were supposed to be lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some of Iran's nuclear advances are irreversible, according to France, Germany, and the UK. Russia is calling for a return to the negotiating table in Vienna [f5097e12] [93f4095f].