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South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
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Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60% purity—just shy of weapons-grade—has triggered international alarm. Western diplomats argue the move directly contradicts Tehran’s claims of peaceful intentions, with the IAEA confirming heightened scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran's Uranium Enrichment Sparks Alarm
A Western diplomatic source stated on Saturday that Iran's rapid enrichment of uranium to near bomb grade is "extremely serious," unjustified by civilian concerns, and goes against Tehran's claims of wanting meaningful nuclear talks.
Nuclear weapons are something Iran has always denied wanting.
According to Investing.com, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear monitors keep a close eye on Iran's nuclear program, according to the country's foreign ministry, which made the announcement on Saturday.
The Western diplomatic source told Reuters, on the condition of anonymity, that the speeding up of enrichment was "in contradiction with Iran's declarations on its willingness to return to credible negotiations."
"These measures have no credible civilian justification and could, on the contrary, directly fuel a military nuclear programme if Iran were to take the decision," according to a source.
IAEA Confirms Accelerated Uranium Enrichment
The president of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, informed Reuters on Friday that Iran is speeding up its uranium enrichment to 60% purity, which is getting close to the 90% level that is considered weapons grade.
The classified report to member nations later validated the accleration in enrichment, a process that refines the raw material for fuel in civil nuclear power generation or, alternatively, for nuclear weapons, according to the IAEA.
Saturday, in response to Grossi's comments and the confidential report's news, Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, stated that Iran's nuclear program is conducted in a "completely transparent manner and under the supervision of the IAEA" and within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and other safeguards.
Tehran Defends Nuclear Program Under IAEA Supervision
"The recent activities have also been carried out with detailed information provided to the IAEA and are under its continuous supervision," Baghaei stated, as reported by Iranian official media.
