Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) on Wednesday announced the “modification” of two of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in response to the Trump administration’s “abrogation” of the same deal, and the fact that the other signatories on the deal have been unable make up for Iran’s losses. The SNSC warned that these modifications will continue as long as the world powers continue to “fail to take action in line with their promises.”
Or, in other words, Iran is using nuclear blackmail. The SNSC threatened that “once our demands are met, we will resume implementation of the ceased undertakings. Otherwise, the Islamic Republic of Iran will stop compliance with its other undertakings in consequent phases.”
Or, as it was predicted by Prime Minister Netanyahu back on March 3, 2015, in his speech before the American Congress: “If anyone thinks this deal kicks the can down the road, think again. When we get down that road, we’ll face a much more dangerous Iran, a Middle East littered with nuclear bombs and a countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare.”
In a letter he sent the deal signatories (other than the US) on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave China, Russia, Britain, France Germany “60 days to put into action their nuclear deal undertakings, specially in the banking and oil sectors,” and cautioned that “in case these countries fail to meet Iran’s demands, the Islamic Republic of Iran will cease implementation of restrictions on uranium enrichment levels and measures related to the modernization of Arak Heavy Water Reactor as well.”
Back in December, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi warned that his country had the capability to restore the 20% uranium enrichment, which it suspended in 2015 as a confidence-building measure.
Salehi told State TV: “Enrichment is currently underway, but we would put aside the 300 kg limit (set by the nuclear agreement) whenever we wish, and would do the enrichment at any volume and level.”
“We currently have 1,044 centrifuges in [the Fordo nuclear facility], and if the establishment wants, we will restart 20% uranium enrichment in Fordo,” Salehi boasted.
As Netanyahu told the US Congress in 2015: “According to the deal, not a single nuclear facility would be demolished. Thousands of centrifuges used to enrich uranium would be left spinning. Thousands more would be temporarily disconnected, but not destroyed.”
He also predicted that “because Iran’s nuclear program would be left largely intact, Iran’s breakout time would be very short – about a year by US assessment, even shorter by Israel’s.”
Near the end of his speech, Netanyahu told Congress: “My friends, standing up to Iran is not easy. Standing up to dark and murderous regimes never is,” and added: “May Israel and America always stand together, strong and resolute. May we neither fear nor dread the challenges ahead. May we face the future with confidence, strength and hope.”