This is the DEFCON Warning System. Alert status for 2 P.M., Monday, February 1st, 2021.  Condition code is Green.  DEFCON 5.

There are currently no imminent nuclear threats at this time.

Iran says that it will increase uranium up to 20%, pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels.  Iran has also begun work to produce uranium metal, a key material at the core of nuclear warheads.  Iran, for its part, states the metal will be used for advanced fuel.

The United States says it will not re-enter the nuclear deal with Iran until Iran begins to comply with the deal first and will not remove sanctions, a key demand that Iran has made before it will begin to comply with the nuclear deal.  The U.S. has also warned that Iran may be weeks away from having enough material to make a nuclear bomb.

Despite public claims, reports are circulating that the United States is talking to Iran about returning to the nuclear deal.

Russia and the United States agree to extend the START treaty by five years, despite claims of Russia continually violating the agreement.  Russia also makes claims that the United States is violating the treaty.

The United States has told Japan that it is committed to defending the Japan-controlled Diaoyutai (Senkaku) Islands against China’s claims, further inserting itself into the disputed Asian theatre.

North Korea says it will develop ICBMs and missiles that can reach the U.S. homeland.  North Korea is also continuing development on solid-fuel boosters which are able to be launched more quickly than liquid-fuel counterparts.  The South Korea leader continues to say that North Korea still has willingness to denuclearize.

Meanwhile, China has authorized its Coast Guard to fire upon foreign vessels as it ramps up its seizure of the South China Sea.

The DEFCON Warning System is a private intelligence organization which has monitored and assessed nuclear threats by national entities since 1984. It is not affiliated with any government agency and does not represent the alert status of any military branch. The public should make their own evaluations and not rely on the DEFCON Warning System for any strategic planning. At all times, citizens are urged to learn what steps to take in the event of a nuclear attack. If this had been an actual attack, the DEFCON Warning System will give radiation readings for areas that are reported to it. Your readings will vary. Official news sources will have radiation readings for your area.

For immediate updates, go to www.defconwarningsystem.com. Breaking news and important information can be found on the DEFCON Warning System community forum and on the DEFCON Twitter feed DEFCONWSAlerts. You may also subscribe to the DEFCON Warning System mailing list. Note that Twitter updates may be subject to delays. The next scheduled update is 2 P.M. Pacific Time, March 1st, 2021. Additional updates will be made as the situation warrants, with more frequent updates at higher alert levels.

This concludes this update of the DEFCON Warning System.