Iran announced on Friday that it will begin operating a new generation of advanced centrifuges in response to a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censuring Tehran for lack of cooperation.

The resolution, passed on Thursday by the IAEA’s 35-nation governing board, criticized Iran for failing to address concerns over uranium particles detected at two undeclared sites and urged Tehran to improve transparency. The motion was brought forward by the United States, Britain, France, and Germany and passed with 19 votes in favor, according to AFP.

European Concerns Over Enriched Uranium

In a joint statement, Britain, France, and Germany accused Iran of obstructing IAEA monitoring efforts and warned that Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile poses a global threat. The statement claimed Iran possesses enough uranium enriched to 60 percent to produce four nuclear weapons.

“Iran’s behavior in the nuclear realm is a threat to international security and undermines the global non-proliferation system,” the European nations stated.

Iran Condemns Resolution

Iran denounced the resolution as “politicized” and accused the U.S. and its European allies of using nuclear issues as a pretext to advance their strategic goals. In a joint statement from Iran's foreign ministry and its national nuclear agency, Tehran declared its intent to expand its nuclear program.

“The president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has issued directives to initiate the operation of a substantial number of advanced centrifuges of various models,” the statement read. It further asserted that the measures aim to address Iran's domestic energy needs and are consistent with its obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Nuclear Program Remains Contentious

Iran continues to insist that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies any intent to develop nuclear weapons. This assertion was reiterated despite mounting international criticism and concerns from the IAEA.

Last week, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi visited Iran, during which Tehran agreed to temporarily cap its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, these latest developments signal a potential escalation in tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities.

International Implications

The activation of advanced centrifuges marks another flashpoint in the fraught relationship between Iran and Western nations, as well as the broader global non-proliferation framework. Observers warn that continued tensions could complicate efforts to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The international community will closely monitor Iran’s actions in the coming weeks, as the debate over its nuclear program continues to dominate global diplomatic discussions.