The Islamic Republic of Iran is reportedly nearing the threshold to test nuclear weapons as their ability to enrich weapons-grade uranium has dramatically accelerated under the Biden administration.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran, which is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, has sought technology that is illegal for them to have in order to further develop their nuclear weapons program, according to new intelligence reports out of Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

The reports said that Iran was moving fast in its advances, which “brings the option of a possible Iranian first nuclear test closer.”

“Last year, Iran proceeded with its nuclear program. The country continues to increase stocks of 20% and 60% enriched uranium,” one of the reports said. “By means of centrifuges, this can be used for further enrichment to the 90% enriched uranium needed for a nuclear weapon.”

The reports noted that Iran was continuing to violate laws in its drive to obtain nuclear weapons and that the country “engages in industrial espionage” in high-tech industries to further its weapons program.

The intelligence reports indicated that Iran has made a significant number of attempts to procure the materials needed to continue its efforts for “the production of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, other armaments or elements of new weapon systems.”

Israeli Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser (res.), an expert on Iran’s weapons program, told the foreign newspaper that Iran has shortened their “breakout time to a nuclear arsenal by illegally acquiring equipment and knowledge from various European countries.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

“The reports only expose part of the Iranian efforts in Europe, and it would be wise to assume that many of those efforts have remained clandestine,” he added. “Iran is likely interpreting Western policy towards it as a sign of weakness since European and US actions against Iran (have) been passive and unintimidating.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed former President Donald Trump for refusing to sign the Republican Party’s “Beat Biden Pledge” in which candidates state that they will support whoever wins the party’s presidential primary.

DeSantis, who trails only Trump in the GOP primary race with all the candidates polling in the low single digits, made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Iowa late this week after the former president said that he would not sign the pledge.

“I mean, you can’t, on the one hand, say that the country’s going in such a bad direction, which we all believe, and then, on the other hand, say you’re just going to take your ball and go home,” DeSantis said. “I’m happy to do that. I’ve voted Republican my whole life.”

“And even though I’m confident we’ll be the nominee, at the end of the day, you respect the judgment of how this works out, and you don’t take your ball and go home,” he continued. “It’s not just about you. It’s about a larger mission that we have to accomplish for Americans.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he signed the pledge to support eventual nominee ahead of first debate in Milwaukee: "You can't on the one hand say the country is going in such a bad direction which we all believe and on the other hand say you're just going to take your ball and go home?" pic.twitter.com/OrMyVPEb08

— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) August 11, 2023

Trump told Eric Bolling on Newsmax this week that one of the “problems” he has with the upcoming Republican debate was having to sign the pledge to get on stage.

“I wouldn’t sign the pledge,” Trump said. “Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have.”

“I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I endorse,” he added. “So they want you to sign a pledge.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

Newsmax noted that Trump did not specify which candidates he would never endorse, but he repeatedly attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson during the interview, the outlet added.

“I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president,” Trump told Newsmax host Eric Bolling. “So right there, there’s a problem right there. There’s a problem.”

The “Beat Biden Pledge” that the candidates have to sign states in-part: “Additionally, I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden.”

“I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party,” it added.

Trump told Breitbart News earlier this month that he had not made a decision about whether he would participate in the debate.

The Daily Wire reached out to the Republican National Committee (RNC) to ask if Trump would be allowed to participate in the debates if he did not sign the pledge, and a spokesperson responded by pointing to a statement that chairwoman Ronna McDaniel made several weeks ago.

“Everybody has to sign the beat Biden pledge, everybody, it’s across the board, the rules aren’t changing, we’ve been very vocal with them,” McDaniel told CNN’s Chris Wallace.

The Daily Wire also asked about remarks from Christie, who has suggested that he will sign the pledge but may not honor it later on.

The RNC responded by again pointing to McDaniel’s statement during the CNN interview, in which she said: “It’s not just the pledge, not just a piece of paper. Intent is going to be part of it, too. I think the debate committee is going to meet, and they don’t want somebody saying, ‘I’m blatantly lying.’ You have to say I’m going to support the nominee whomever the voters choose.”