Atomic Energy Spokesman Emphasizes: No Uranium Will Leave Iran

The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced that during the seven-month negotiation period with the 1+5 group, and in continuation of the 'previous agreement', Iran has 'accepted' more inspections of its nuclear facilities, a halt to 20% uranium enrichment, and a 'delay' in the activation of new centrifuges. Behrouz Kamalvandi emphasized that 'no uranium' will leave Iran and predicted that if the political atmosphere opens up in the future, uranium might even be brought into the country from abroad. He also stated that if Iran can purchase its 'enrichment needs' at a price cheaper than producing fuel domestically, it will certainly do so. According to Fars News Agency, Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Tuesday evening, December 25, in a television program: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has accepted to continue the conditions of the previous agreement during the seven-month period and to delay the activation of new centrifuge devices.' He also reported that Iran has accepted 'more inspections' of its nuclear facilities and 'not to produce 20% enriched uranium'. Mr. Kamalvandi noted that Iran currently has no need for 20% uranium enrichment and added: 'If we can purchase our enrichment needs in the future at a price cheaper than domestic fuel production, we will certainly do this.' The Associated Press reported on Thursday, December 13, that members of the Obama administration told several congressional representatives that the U.S. has obtained significant concessions from Iran, including the Islamic Republic's commitment to more inspections of nuclear facilities and neutralizing larger amounts of Iran's uranium resources. In response to this news, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Saturday, December 15, citing a 'source close to the Iranian nuclear negotiating team', that 'the extent and type of inspections of our nuclear activities is a matter that is coordinated and arranged between Iran and the agency, and other parties have no role in it.' Mr. Kamalvandi further clarified: 'The Atomic Energy Organization is currently conducting tests on a thousand second-generation centrifuges, and the only thing the organization is not doing based on its commitments is injecting gas into the new centrifuge devices.' He stated that this action is 'due to Iran's goodwill and is temporary'. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said on Tuesday, December 18, that based on an 'unwritten agreement', Iran does not intend to activate new centrifuges and inject active UF6 gas into the IR8 centrifuge until the nuclear negotiations with the 1+5 countries continue. The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization discussed the process of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the 1+5 group, stating: 'Today we have advanced a lot compared to a year ago, but there are issues that need to be discussed. Legal, technical, and political issues need to be discussed, and viewpoints have come much closer together.' He added: 'The other side has demanded the closure of the Arak research reactor and Fordow, but currently, the closure of this center is no longer raised by them.' Mr. Kamalvandi mentioned the 'level of enrichment' as one of the contentious issues between Iran and the 1+5 group. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has accepted that the fuel assembly of the Arak reactor will not be installed, adding: 'Smaller components of the Arak reactor are being constructed, and this process continues.' Comprehensive nuclear talks between Iran and the 1+5 group began on Tuesday, December 24, during the seven-month extension of negotiations. Abbas Araqchi, a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team, assessed the atmosphere of the meetings as 'good' after six hours of discussions with American officials, while also stating that 'there is still distance to reach a solution'. According to reports, the main points of contention between Iran and the 1+5 group are the duration of the final agreement, the level of Iran's uranium enrichment, and the manner of lifting sanctions against Iran's nuclear program.