A Double Standard in Nuclear Policy; From Larijani's Green Light to Kamalvandi's Threats

Following the condemnation of the Islamic Republic's nuclear actions at the Board of Governors meeting on Thursday, while Ali Larijani speaks of readiness for a new agreement, the spokesperson for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization emphasizes the continuation of 60% enrichment. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's Atomic Energy Organization, stated on Friday, December 2, that "we never intended to stop 60% enrichment from the beginning," adding, "We have been instructed since last night to increase the speed of 60% enrichment." He described this action as a reaction by the Islamic Republic to the resolution passed by the Board of Governors the previous day and the condemnation of Tehran's nuclear activities, stating, "We will activate thousands of centrifuges rapidly, not just hundreds." Concurrently, Ali Larijani, advisor to the Supreme Leader and member of the Expediency Discernment Council, on Friday, December 2, announced in an interview published by a news outlet close to the Supreme Leader that the Islamic Republic is ready to negotiate with the incoming U.S. government and reach a new agreement regarding its nuclear program. He also set conditions for the U.S. in a post on X, stating that "compensating for the damages caused by the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, recognizing Iran's enrichment at a high level of 60%, and ending unilateral decisions against the nuclear program" are among the conditions for dialogue with the West. Majid Golpour, an international affairs expert, compared the Islamic Republic's "double standard" in the nuclear issue to a "forty-piece ball" where each piece goes in its own direction and is busy with its own interests. He added, "The time for dialogue has ended for the Islamic Republic, and now it is time to present practical proposals, but the Iranian government, which is collapsing from within and lacks expertise, cannot provide a feasible proposal." The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday, December 1, 1403, condemned the Islamic Republic's lack of cooperation with the Agency and its secrecy regarding Iran's nuclear activities by passing a resolution with a maximum vote. The U.S. representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed gratitude to the Agency for condemning the Islamic Republic, stating, "Only nuclear-armed countries enrich uranium to 60%, and the Islamic Republic must not only stop producing more 60% enriched uranium but also completely reduce its existing 60% reserves."