European JCPOA Members Express Serious Concern Over Iran's Recent Nuclear Actions

European members of the JCPOA issued a joint statement condemning the recent actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to accelerate the production of high-concentration uranium, which has been reflected in the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to this statement, published on Tuesday, December 20, on the websites of the foreign ministries of Britain, France, and Germany, these three countries expressed concern over the increase in the number of centrifuges and Iran's readiness to install new centrifuges. The IAEA's recent report indicated a significant increase in the speed of 60% uranium enrichment at the Fordow site. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, stated on December 7 that Iran is increasing its production of 60% uranium by at least eight times. The three European countries also referred to their meeting last week with the Iranian nuclear negotiating team regarding Iran's nuclear program and sanctions, stating that the commitment of both parties to dialogue and constructive behavior was emphasized during this meeting. They wrote that in these negotiations, it was emphasized that 'Iran's actions are increasingly hollowing out the JCPOA and increasing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which has no credible civilian justification.' This statement called on the Islamic Republic to reverse its recent actions and immediately halt nuclear tensions. The IAEA, in its confidential report on Friday, specified that Iran intends to increase its monthly production rate of 60% uranium at the Fordow site to over 34 kilograms, whereas previously, Iran's production level at its two nuclear sites, including Fordow, was only six kilograms per month. The IAEA Board of Governors condemned the expansion of Iran's nuclear activities on December 1 and, through a resolution, called for Iran's immediate cooperation with this agency and requested the Director General to prepare a 'comprehensive report' on Iran. In response to the issuance of this reprimanding resolution, Iran announced that it would launch advanced centrifuges. Iranian media reports also indicate that Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, in response to the accusations from the European JCPOA members regarding Iran's non-compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, stated that the three European countries themselves have not fulfilled their commitments and have made 'baseless' claims of violations of the aforementioned resolution by Iran. Despite Mr. Grossi's repeated warnings over the years and months about the Islamic Republic's lack of cooperation with the agency, he claimed that 'Iran's cooperation with the agency has always been consistent and transparent.' Mr. Iravani further accused the European JCPOA members of 'dishonest and hypocritical' behavior. Meanwhile, Metu Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, responded yesterday to a journalist's question regarding the extent of concern about the Islamic Republic's move towards building a nuclear weapon in light of its weakening regional position, stating, 'We remain concerned, but the United States is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.' Recently, some government officials and members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly threatened that Iran could change its nuclear policy. Previously, Iranian officials claimed that, given Ali Khamenei's fatwa regarding the 'forbidden nature of building and using nuclear weapons,' Iran would never move towards producing a nuclear bomb.