Iran defends nuclear program amid Russia collaboration concerns

On Sunday, Iran reiterated that its nuclear program is peaceful, despite skepticism among Western governments and experts, as well as increasing international pressure over its recent activities.

“The reality of the peaceful objectives of Iran's nuclear industry … will be made clear to the world,” the head of Iran’s nuclear program, Mohammad Eslami, stated upon his arrival in Vienna for the 68th annual session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference.

However, the partnership between Iran and Russia has triggered fresh concerns in Washington and London, particularly over Tehran’s supply of ballistic missiles to aid Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

In return, Russia is suspected of providing Iran with sensitive nuclear technology and intelligence, an exchange that has Western officials on edge as it risks pushing Iran closer to achieving its goal of developing nuclear weapons.

According to sources cited by Bloomberg, “the Kremlin has increased its cooperation with Iran over its ambitions to obtain atomic weapons in recent months", citing Western officials.

Western intelligence has identified increased cooperation between the two countries in recent months, raising alarms over the possibility that Russia is sharing nuclear expertise that could facilitate Iran’s weaponization of its atomic program.

The revelations were discussed during a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden at the White House last week.

According to the Bloomberg article, one of “the most troubling” aspects of the partnership is the trade of ballistic missiles. Iran has provided Russia with Fath-360 missiles, short-range ballistic weapons that have been deployed against Ukrainian targets.

Despite reported inaccuracies in these missiles highlighted by a recent Business Insider report on their performance during a prior Iranian attack on Israel, they are still an addition to Russia’s military arsenal.

Iran’s missile shipments come at a time when Moscow is seeking to replenish its stockpiles in a war begun in 2022. The cooperation further deepens the ties between the two nations after Iran has provided drones to Russia to support its war on Ukraine.

The Russia-Iran alliance has forced Western powers to reassess their defense strategies, leading to renewed sanctions and diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing Tehran’s military support for Moscow.

UK newspaper, The Guardian, said the Kremlin has increased its cooperation with Iran over its ambitions to obtain atomic weapons in recent months, citing anonymous Western officials.

The Guardian report noted that the growing Russia-Iran military and nuclear cooperation poses a “direct threat” not only to the West but also to Israel, which views Iran’s nuclear advancements as an existential danger.

It also pointed out that Tehran’s partnership with Moscow has sparked fears in Jerusalem that Iran could soon possess the capability to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. With Iran also backing militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel's borders, its nuclear ambitions raise concerns about destabilizing the Middle East more, added the piece.

The Islamic Republic has long maintained that its nuclear activities are for “civilian purposes,” but recent statements by Iranian officials cast doubt on such remarks.

In April, an Iranian general suggested that Tehran might revise its nuclear doctrine if Israel were to attack its atomic facilities, a threat that could signal a shift toward nuclear weapons development.

Meanwhile, reports from the IAEA indicate that Iran has enriched its uranium stockpiles, with enough material to potentially fuel multiple warheads.