On Friday, US intelligence officials told CNN that they think Iran is looking to Russia for help in bolstering its nuclear armament development.
According to sources cited by the network, intelligence data reveals that Iran asked Russia for assistance in obtaining more nuclear materials and in the production of fuel that may enable Iran operate its nuclear reactors and minimise the time needed for Iran to create a nuclear weapon.
According to the sources, Tehran’s move towards Moscow was motivated by a number of factors, including the widespread opinion among senior Iranian officials that the nuclear agreement would either be renewed or, if it has already been reached, it won’t last.
The side accords between Iran and Russia “undermined the nuclear agreement inked in 2015, will be a huge concern, and diminish the possibilities of returning to the agreement,” according to a senior official in the US administration who declined to be identified but was quoted by CNN.
“In the face of any Russian-Iranian cooperation that conflicts with our objectives linked to the prevention of nuclear proliferation,” US National Security Council spokesperson Adrian Watson told CNN.
The spokesperson continued, “We are collaborating with partners to publicise and maintain connections between Iran and Russia.”
According to sources cited by the network, Washington’s intelligence reports do not point to a “explicit barter” between Tehran’s support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine and Moscow’s offer to help Tehran with its nuclear programme.
According to an American assessment, Iran seeks Russia’s assistance to advance its nuclear programme.
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