() The United Nations nuclear watchdog says Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, says this development doesn’t come as a shock to many.
“The President has made it very clear that Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon,” he said. That is a message that he’s consistently stated over and over again.”
The report calls on Tehran to change course and comply with the agency`s probe urgently. This comes at a pivotal moment as Hamas leaders are reviewing the U.S. proposal of a ceasefire with Israel, which the latter nation has agreed to. And Iran could be affecting Hamas’ decision-making here due to the probe.
“I think we have to recognize that almost everything that goes on in the Middle East that is nefarious, whether it’s Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis, all of it is essentially delivered from the same kitchen,” Huckabee added. “The kitchen is in Tehran. And that’s where they are cooking this stuff. That’s where they supply the money for it. It’s where they supply a lot of the parts and equipment. Whatever Hamas is doing or not doing, there’s always a postmark to Tehran in there as well.”
In recent months, Iran has tried to reverse course on its nuclear programs, saying that they were being used for peaceful purposes. But the U.S. has doubled down on trying to stop the country from lifting its economic sanctions on them in exchange for stopping the uranium enrichment.
Senior Iranian officials earlier this week dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country’s nuclear program to continue.
Huckabee also acknowledged that he feels the ball is in Hamas’ court when it comes to accept the ceasefire agreement that is currently on the table.
