UK, France, Germany Condemn Iran’s Plans to Expand Nuclear Program 

This file handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on November 4, 2020 shows an overview of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), northeast of the city of Qom. (Photo by Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This file handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on November 4, 2020 shows an overview of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), northeast of the city of Qom. (Photo by Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
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UK, France, Germany Condemn Iran’s Plans to Expand Nuclear Program 

This file handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on November 4, 2020 shows an overview of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), northeast of the city of Qom. (Photo by Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This file handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on November 4, 2020 shows an overview of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), northeast of the city of Qom. (Photo by Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP)

Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday condemned Iran's plans to expand its nuclear program after the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran was enriching uranium, with plans to further expand enrichment at two plants. 

"Iran’s step is a challenge to the global non-proliferation system," the three nations said in a joint statement provided by the British government.  

"This step, which carries significant proliferation-related risks, has no credible civilian justification," they added. 

"We will continue to consult, alongside international partners, on how best to address Iran’s continued nuclear escalation." 



North Korea Condemns US Military Drills with South Korea, Japan

HANDOUT - 21 November 2024, North Korea, Pyongyang: A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 22 November 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) attending the National Defence Development 2024 arms exhibition. Photo: -/kcna/dpa
HANDOUT - 21 November 2024, North Korea, Pyongyang: A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 22 November 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) attending the National Defence Development 2024 arms exhibition. Photo: -/kcna/dpa
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North Korea Condemns US Military Drills with South Korea, Japan

HANDOUT - 21 November 2024, North Korea, Pyongyang: A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 22 November 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) attending the National Defence Development 2024 arms exhibition. Photo: -/kcna/dpa
HANDOUT - 21 November 2024, North Korea, Pyongyang: A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 22 November 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) attending the National Defence Development 2024 arms exhibition. Photo: -/kcna/dpa

North Korea condemned on Saturday recent joint military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan, warning that it would take immediate actions if needed to defend the state.
Last week, the three countries held a three-day joint exercise, dubbed "Freedom Edge", featuring fighter jets and marine patrol aircraft as well as the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS George Washington.
"We strongly warn the US and its followers hostile towards the DPRK to immediately stop the hostile acts of further causing provocation and instability that can drive the military confrontation in the Korean peninsula and its vicinity into a real armed conflict," the North's defense ministry said, using the country's official name.
The military would keep all options available and take immediate actions if needed to preemptively control risk, while closely watching military activity by the US and its allies, it said in a statement carried by state media KCNA.