Iran’s nuclear authority chief has announced the Islamic Republic will not enrich uranium above 60 percent purity, regardless of the outcome of talks with world powers aimed at reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.
The Islamic Republic began enriching uranium to 60 percent purity more than six months ago — a level of purity just a step before that required for the production of nuclear weapons.
Less than six months ago, Iran’s then-President Hassan Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting that his country could enrich uranium up to 90 percent purity “if its nuclear reactors needed it” but said he still sought the revival of the JCPOA in return for lifting sanctions against Tehran.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullian told Haaretz last week that although the United States and other world powers had not publicly announced a deadline for the JCPOA talks “on the calendar,” nevertheless, “behind closed doors there is a deadline and it is not far away.” Two Israeli officials quoted by Axios said Sullivan had made it clear the window for further talks in Vienna could close by the end of January or beginning of February 2022.
But the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, maintained in an interview with the Russian news outlet RIA Novosti covered by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, “All of our goals in terms of uranium enrichment are to meet our industrial, production needs as well as the needs of our consumers for those goods that our country and our population need today.
“All our atomic activities are carried out within the framework of agreements, statutes and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAE),” he said.
The Iranian nuclear chief told the Russian news outlet that his country has saved about 80 million barrels of oil in the 10 years following the first power unit at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was built with assistance from Moscow.
“Iran . . . introduces about 1,000 megawatts of electricity into the grid and has already generated about 52 billion kilowatts of electricity to date,” Eslami said. “The construction and launch of nuclear power plants is one of the main strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, and we will continue to develop this area,” he said, in response to the need to “transition to clean energy” and to “move towards renewable energy sources.”
The interviewer pointed out that Iran currently owes Russia $500 million for the construction of a second power unit at Bushehr and asked about the extent that Western sanctions affect Iran’s nuclear development program. “Is there really such a danger that due to the freezing of Iran’s bank accounts abroad, the work of the first power unit of the nuclear power plant will be suspended?” the interviewer asked.
In response, the Iranian nuclear chief said, “The important thing is that the sanctions are cruel, inhuman and illegal. No logic, no free person can accept the fact that the United States is applying these unjust sanctions against the Iranian people. It is a clear picture of the anti-humanism and flight from reconciliation that Washington embodies. Naturally, our country has learned from the sanctions, which is very important.
“Sanctions hinder our development,” he said. “Sanctions violate the way of life of our people. Based on this, the abilities of our people and the potential of the territory of our state, we have built our country to resist these sanctions.
“Everything that we have achieved in these forty years after the revolution (since 1979) has been affected by these sanctions. Yes, our bank accounts are frozen. At the moment, there is no debt to the Russian government for the first power unit of the nuclear power plant.
In addition to a second power unit, a third is planned as well, he noted. But construction of both is “about 23 months behind schedule,” he said, due to Iran’s debt to Moscow for both.
The interviewer also asked about plans for building a nuclear power plant in Fordow, where Iran has an advanced uranium enrichment facility, built underground for defense purposes. The interviewer pointed out that in Fordow, stable (non-radioactive) isotopes were to be produced, “which became impossible after the start of the uranium enrichment process.”
In response, Eslami said Iran is aiming to reach 10,000 megawatts of energy in building new power plants, saying Iran at present needs “at least” 17,000 megawatts of electricity.
“Since Russia has invested in other countries, we expect, moreover, we invite international investors to participate in the construction of this attractive 10,000 MW project in Iran. We also have a plan for small power plants with a capacity of up to 300 MW on our agenda,” Eslami said.
“Regarding the object in Fordow that you asked about, it is not a big moment, the important thing is the object in Khandab that produces isotopes. Their production is included in our plan and is progressing on schedule.”
He added that Iran “can already produce nuclear fuel” and said Iran hopes to be able to start using Iranian fuel in the reactor itself in Bushehr.
“If the parties to the negotiations in Vienna do not come to an agreement, the United States will not return to the JCPOA and the sanctions against Iran will not be lifted, will you exceed the uranium enrichment level of 60 percent?” the interviewer asked.
“No,” Eslamic replied.
“All our goals in terms of uranium enrichment are to meet our industrial, production needs, as well as the needs of our consumers for those goods that our country and our population need today.
“All our atomic activities are carried out within the framework of agreements, statutes and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”