Iran has reacted strongly to a report from Austria alleging that Tehran has developed an advanced nuclear weapons program capable of launching long-range missiles.

The report, from Austria’s intelligence agency, provides insight into the Iranian government’s ambitions and espionage activities within Austria.

Digital initially reported on the Iran-related sections of the report on Wednesday, leading to diplomatic tensions between Iran and Austria.

The Austrian intelligence report claims that Iran’s nuclear weapons program is advanced and that the country possesses an increasing number of ballistic missiles suitable for delivering nuclear warheads over long distances.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei condemned the Austrian intelligence agency for “spreading lies” and demanded an official explanation from the Austrian government regarding the agency’s actions, as reported .

Austrian diplomat Michaela Pacher was summoned to the Iranian foreign ministry in Tehran, according to the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.

Austrian officials stated that Pacher used the opportunity to reiterate Austria’s and the EU’s stance on the Iranian nuclear program, which was recently expressed to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Austria has voiced its support for an EU statement made along with other countries in March.

The EU statement indicated that Iran has accumulated a substantial quantity of 60% enriched uranium, an amount deemed by the Agency as sufficient for manufacturing a nuclear explosive device, and is currently producing a significant quantity of highly enriched uranium each month, as reported .

The EU statement further noted that these actions pose significant proliferation risks and raise concerns about Iran’s intentions, lacking credible civilian justification. The EU also remains concerned about statements from Iranian officials regarding Iran’s capacity to assemble a nuclear weapon.

The Austrian intelligence findings contrast with the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies, which believe that Iran has not yet started a weapons program but has taken steps to improve its ability to produce a nuclear device if it chooses to do so. Disagreements have occurred over Iran’s nuclear weapons program between U.S. and European intelligence agencies.

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

A White House official stated that President Trump is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or the ability to build one.

The Austrian report is concurrent with a new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report. The report indicated that Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, as stated in a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog on Saturday, urging Tehran to change course and cooperate with the agency’s investigation.

The report is released during ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington regarding a potential nuclear agreement that U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing.

According to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran had amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% as of May 17.

This material is technically close to weapons-grade levels of 90%. A February report estimated the stockpile at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds).

The IAEA report issued a strong warning, noting that Iran is now “the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material,” which the agency considers a matter of “serious concern.”

In February, Digital reported that the IAEA stated Iran possesses sufficient enriched uranium .

Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), stated that Iran is deceptive and uncooperative, and that the IAEA reports confirm Iran’s violation of the NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] for years, even during the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. He believes the regime cannot be trusted with any diplomatic agreement.

The JCPOA is the formal name for the Iran nuclear deal concluded between the Obama administration and Iran. President withdrew from the deal in 2018, stating that it did not prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons.

Brodsky believes that Iran’s regime’s reaction to Austria’s findings demonstrates its sensitivity and its desire to intimidate Austria. He suggests Austria should reduce the size of the Iranian embassy in Vienna, which he claims has been used for intelligence gathering and operations throughout Europe.

The clerical regime’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, issued a statement responding to the Digital report.

He mentioned media speculation about an imminent Iran-U.S. deal, but was unsure if it was finalized. He stated Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that benefits all parties.

He continued that achieving this requires an agreement that fully lifts all sanctions and upholds Iran’s nuclear rights, including enrichment, adding that the path to a deal lies through negotiation, not the media.

The U.S. talks to dismantle Iran’s illicit atomic weapons program coincide with a . According to Iran experts, the widespread labor unrest could significantly weaken the regime.

The exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, residing in the U.S., has urged U.S. labor unions to support Iranian truckers.

 Pahlavi stated that truck drivers and workers across Iran are striking and risking their lives for their rights and a better future for their families. He added that they are being jailed and threatened for posting photos and videos of their strike, and that only in a free Iran will workers have the right to organize freely. He called on labor unions and leaders to show solidarity with their fellow workers in Iran.

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