Iran criticizes reports claiming proactive nuclear weapons programs in Austria

Fox News Digital Report said Tehran has developed an advanced nuclear weapon plan that can launch long-range missiles, and Iran angrily slammed the Austrian government on Friday.

The Austrian version of the FBI (National Protection and Intelligence Service) explosive report provides a dedicated window for the Iranian regime's illegal atomic weapons program and its espionage in Central European countries.

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Fox News Digital was the first news agency to report the Iranian portion of the report on Wednesday, sparking a massive diplomatic dispute between the Islamic Republic and Austria.

"Iran's nuclear weapons development plan is very progressive, and Iran has an increasing number of ballistic missile arsenals," the Austrian Domestic Intelligence Agency reported.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waved the crowd on Monday, March 31, 2025 with officials, the Islamic State ambassador to Iran and a group of people from Tehran, Iran. (Iran's Supreme Leader's Office through the Associated Press)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei condemned the Austrian intelligence agency for "spreading lies" and called on the Austrian government to "provide official explanations for irresponsible, provocative and destructive behavior through one of its official agencies.

Iranian Foreign Minister vowed that nuclear richness would continue to be "with or without agreement,

The Austrian federal European and International Affairs Ministry said that Tehran-based Austrian diplomat Michaela Pacher was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

"(Pachel) took this opportunity to reaffirm Austria and the EU's position on Iran's nuclear program," Austrian officials said in a statement. "This position was recently told to the Council of the International Atomic Energy Agency."

Austria expressed support for the EU statement with other countries in March.

“Iran has accumulated more than 60% of the enriched material (which the agency defines as about nuclear material with the possibility of making a nuclear explosive device) and currently produces a large amount of highly enriched uranium every month,” said EU.

The EU statement added: "All of these actions have serious risks associated with proliferation and raise serious concerns about Iranian intentions because they have no reliable civilian reasons. In this case, the EU remains concerned about the claims of Iranian officials about the ability of Iranian officials to assemble nuclear weapons."

The shocking Austrian intelligence results contradict the assessment and evaluation of the U.S. intelligence agency that Iran has not yet begun its weapons program, but “better activities are underway to better position their production of nuclear devices (if they choose to do so).” There has been long conflict over the views on Iran’s illegal nuclear weapons program (between the U.S. intelligence agency and the European intelligence service).

The Office of the U.S. National Intelligence Director declined to comment on the Austrian report.

"President Trump is committed to Iran's ability to never obtain nuclear weapons or build nuclear weapons," a White House official said.

The report from Austria coincides with the new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report. A confidential report from the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday that the Associated Press reported on Saturday that Iran further increased its uranium reserves and was enriched with weapons-level levels.

The report was conducted during a sensitive period, as Tehran and Washington have been talking about a possible nuclear deal that U.S. President Donald Trump has tried to reach.

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The Vienna-based IAEA report said that as of May 17, Iran had accumulated 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium, enriching as high as 60%.

The material is far away from 90% weapon-level levels, which is short-lived. A February report put the stock at 274.8 kg (605.8 lbs).

The IAEA report has raised a harsh warning that Iran is now "the only non-nuclear-weapon state that produces such materials" - what the agency calls "serious concern".

In February, Fox News Digital reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran is rich enough uranium to make six nuclear weapons.

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“The Islamic Republic is the standard person for deception and stone walls. Today’s Damning IAEA report confirms Iran’s violation of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) over the years, even if the JCPOA (JCPOA (Joint Integrated Action Plan) is actually effective.

JCPOA is the official name of the Iran nuclear agreement reached between the Obama administration and Iran. President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 because his administration said at the time that the deal did not stop Iran from building nuclear weapons.

"I think the Iranian regime's response to Austrian discoveries demonstrates sensitivity to these issues," Brodski said. "It also wants to bully Austria. Austria should force the Iranian regime to reduce the size of the Vienna embassy, ​​which has long been used as a hub for vicious intelligence collection and operation throughout Europe."

Foreign Secretary Abbas Araghchi of the Clerk regime released a statement on his X account on Fox News digital report.

"The media speculates about the upcoming Iran-US deal. Not sure if we are still there," he wrote. "Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will be in the interests of all parties.

"But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and safeguard Iran's nuclear rights, including enrichment. The road to a deal will run through the negotiations, not the media."

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The United States talks about the removal of Iran's illegal atomic weapons program coincides with a strike by truck drivers across the country in Iran. Iranian experts say widespread labor unrest could severely weaken the regime.

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Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, called on the U.S. trade unions to stand with Iranian truck drivers.

Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, wrote on X: "Truck drivers and workers across Iran are on strike, fighting for their rights, fighting for their rights, and enjoying a bright future for their families. Iran and show your unity."

Benjamin Weinthal's report on Israel, Iran, Syria, Türkiye and Europe. You can follow Benjamin on Twitter @benweinthal and email him via Benjamin.weinthal@fox.com.