Iranian parliamentary spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said Wednesday that Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels if the country is attacked again.

This warning signals a potential escalation in nuclear capabilities that could fundamentally alter the security landscape of the Middle East. By threatening to cross the threshold into weapons-grade material, Tehran is using its nuclear program as a strategic deterrent against the U.S. and its allies.

Rezaei said that 90% enrichment is one of the options the government may consider following another attack [1]. He said that the parliament will review this possibility [1]. This position aligns with previous warnings from President Ebrahim Raisi, who said Iran could reach 90% enrichment levels if it chose, despite a stated desire to preserve its nuclear deal [2].

These threats follow reports of accelerating nuclear activity. Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran is pressing the gas pedal on its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade [3]. According to a confidential IAEA report dated May 28, 2025, Iran has amassed uranium enriched up to 60% [3, 4].

While 60% enrichment is significantly above the levels required for civilian energy, it remains below the 90% threshold typically associated with nuclear weapons [1, 3]. The gap between current levels and weapons-grade material is narrow, increasing concerns among international monitors regarding the timeline for a potential breakout.

Tehran has framed these capabilities as a defensive necessity. The warnings serve as a signal that any further kinetic strikes against Iranian infrastructure could trigger a rapid shift in the state's nuclear posture [1, 2].

“"One of Iran's options in the event of another attack could be 90 per cent enrichment."”

The transition from 60% to 90% enrichment is technically shorter than the climb from natural uranium to 60%. By publicly discussing the 90% threshold, Iran is signaling that it possesses the technical capability to produce weapons-grade material rapidly. This creates a 'virtual' nuclear capability, where the threat of production serves as a diplomatic and military lever to prevent foreign intervention.