Iran Moves Toward War: Launches Drills, Threatens Uranium Surge

Iran announced two major escalations Thursday in its confrontation with Israel and the West, launching a new round of military exercises and vowing to ramp up its uranium enrichment program just hours after a rare and stinging condemnation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In a statement issued by Iran’s Ministry of Defense, Tehran confirmed the start of “annual armed forces drills for the year 1404,” referencing the Persian calendar. The statement said the exercises would “focus on monitoring enemy movements,” and were launched under the slogan “O Ali ibn Abi Talib,” invoking religious symbolism to frame the military effort.

The drills are taking place amid mounting fears of a sudden regional war, either sparked by an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities or a preemptive move by Tehran. Israeli officials have held a series of high-level meetings this week, with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer scheduled to meet with Mossad Director David Barnea before traveling to Washington for consultations with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.

At the same time, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization declared it would begin enriching uranium at a third underground complex and significantly increase enrichment levels in response to what it called “a hostile political decision.” That decision, a formal censure by the IAEA Board of Governors, marks the first such rebuke in two decades.

“The assumption that political pressure will push Iran to retreat from its rightful positions is a strategic miscalculation,” said the head of Iran’s atomic agency. “We warned in advance that any hostile resolution would be met with an operational response.”

In a provocative move, Iranian media also published what it claimed were internal communications between Israeli and IAEA officials, alleging behind-the-scenes coordination. The authenticity of the documents could not be verified, and Israel has not officially responded to the claim.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement condemning Tehran’s nuclear deception. “Iran has violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty and is actively pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program,” the statement read. “Its continued stockpiling of highly enriched uranium proves beyond doubt that its intentions are not peaceful.”

The region remains on edge as Israel continues to weigh a military option, and Iran signals it is preparing for precisely that scenario. Analysts warn that the next move, whether diplomatic or military, may be decisive.