Iran Closer to Nuclear Weapons, Says New York Times

The Iranian side has approached the development of its nuclear potential following the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This is reported by the New York Times (NYT), citing sources.

'Iran is closer to nuclear weapons than ever before in its two decades of efforts to develop nuclear capabilities,' the article states.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced that Iran has experienced a sharp acceleration in uranium extraction. He added that Iran has sufficient stockpiles to create four bombs, but this would require between one year to 18 months.

Grossi emphasized that the Iranian side is now moving at a pace that suggests the country will be able to produce much more.

On the night of December 8, opposition groups seized the Syrian capital, Damascus. According to Reuters, the Syrian army command announced that President Bashar al-Assad's authority is 'over.'