Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has staged a military exercise consisting of a five-day drill across the country’s south region amid heightened tensions over the government’s nuclear program, The Associated Press reported. Maritime forces are also set to maneuver in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the AP reported. Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, at a news conference gave a vague answer when asked by a reporter whether the country would enrich uranium to weapons-grade 90 percent purity. ADVERTISEMENT“The level, amount and quality of enrichment are in line with the needs of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program,” Khatibzadeh said. Iran’s Kayhan newspaper recently published an editorial that argued the country should enrich uranium up to 90 percent and become a “world nuclear power” if negotiations in Vienna fail to grant the country sanctions relief.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 21, 2021 03:37 UTC