Continuing Ambiguity in Reviving the JCPOA; Iran's Uranium Reserves Have Increased

While the topic of reviving the JCPOA and ongoing negotiations has become a weekly question for American officials from journalists, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced that today our uranium reserves in the country are not comparable to the past. Mohammad Eslami, in a joint meeting with members of the Energy Commission of Parliament, claimed that the goal of this organization is to produce 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power and that it will pursue this goal seriously. The deputy of Ebrahim Raisi stated that 'the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran was able to experience a vigorous, energetic, and hardworking year in 1401,' adding: 'In 1401, we increased the capacity and number of active mines in the country to complete the fuel cycle and were able to operate a yellowcake production plant.' Meanwhile, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed concern about the continuation of the Islamic Republic's enrichment activities in an interview with France 24, stating: 'Despite a 25% increase in Iran's enriched uranium reserves over three months, the agreement between the Islamic Republic and the Agency regarding safeguards and verification has not been implemented at the level and speed that the Agency expected.' The U.S. Secretary of State also mentioned on Sunday, July 23, that 'they could not or did not want to do this. We are now in a position where we are not talking about the nuclear agreement.' Antony Blinken emphasized in an interview with CNN that the Biden administration wants Iran to take steps toward de-escalation, and then 'perhaps an environment will be created where we can return to discussions about their nuclear program.' On the other hand, Ali Akbar Salehi, former Foreign Minister and an influential figure in the Islamic Republic, called for negotiations between Tehran and the West, primarily the U.S., in an interview with the news site Entekhab published on Saturday, July 22. The former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated that so far, negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have revolved around specific issues such as Afghanistan, Iraq, the release of dual-national prisoners, and the JCPOA, emphasizing that 'political negotiation' and 'comprehensive negotiation' could encompass all aspects, including regional security and economic issues. Blinken: We are not in a position to talk about the nuclear agreement with Iran. Ali Akbar Salehi called for 'comprehensive' negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. A bipartisan proposal was presented in the U.S. Senate to intensify sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The President of Israel in the U.S. Congress: The Islamic Republic is not seeking peaceful energy. The outcome of military cooperation with the Russians; Europe is determined to 'continue sanctions on ballistic missiles' of the Islamic Republic. Sullivan emphasized that we are not close to the JCPOA; Kanani: The path to negotiations 'is still open.' The 'Alliance Against a Nuclear Iran' welcomed further strengthening of U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf. Blinken: The U.S. has 'many concerns' about the Islamic Republic.