Israel says Iran 'tripled' nuclear enrichment at underground site over last year

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday told the United Nations Security Council that Iran is increasing its nuclear enrichment rate. 

Israeli intelligence shows the number of advanced centrifuges has more than doubled in two underground Iranian enrichment facilities, Gantz said.

"Iran is not only advancing in its capabilities, but also in its rate of production," he also said.

At one underground site where the original Iran nuclear deal specifically prohibited activities, the "enrichment rate has tripled in the last year," the defense minister stated.

The intelligence assessment comes as the Biden administration is negotiating a nuclear deal – despite Israel's protests – with Iran in an attempt to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.