Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is following current developments with regard to Iran’s nuclear program with concern, particularly the recent announcement of ramping up uranium enrichment, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia called on Iran to avoid escalation, threatening the security and stability of the region, and to engage seriously in the current negotiations in line with the aspirations of the international community.

Iran must carry out its nuclear program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency in a way that achieves security and stability in the region and the world and prevents the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the statement added.

The Kingdom underlined the importance of the international community to reach an agreement in a way that strengthens monitoring and control measures and ensures preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons or developing the necessary capabilities for that, taking into account the deep concern of the countries of the region about the steps that Iran is taking to destabilize regional security and stability, including Its nuclear program.

Iran announced on Tuesday it would increase uranium enrichment up to 60 percent following an apparent attack on a nuclear site in the country over the weekend.

On Tuesday, Iran's deputy foreign minister and a top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi told state-run Press TV that the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) had been informed of Tehran's decision to ramp up enrichment to 60 percent purity, a big step up from the current 20 percent purity levels.

The decision pushes Iran closer to reaching the 90 percent enrichment level that is considered weapons-grade. Iran has continually denied it intends to assemble nuclear weapons.