European Troika Warns Islamic Republic: Stop 'Unauthorized' Enrichment

The three European countries, France, Germany, and Britain, expressed concern over the expansion of the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, calling for Tehran to return to its commitments under the JCPOA and to halt uranium enrichment beyond the permissible limits. In a statement referencing a recent report by the Director General of the IAEA, they emphasized that the Islamic Republic is increasingly violating its commitments under the JCPOA, currently possessing enriched uranium 27 times the limit set by the agreement and continuing to enrich uranium to 60 percent. France, Germany, and Britain also urged the Iranian government to adhere to 'transparency measures' within the framework of the Additional Protocol and the joint statement of March 4, 2023, with the IAEA. Nevertheless, these three European countries reiterated their commitment to a diplomatic path in resolving Iran's nuclear issue and urged Iranian officials to take serious and meaningful steps towards de-escalation and rebuilding trust. Germany, France, and Britain also warned the leaders of the Islamic Republic that if they do not adhere to their commitments, they will use available tools to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. The IAEA Director General emphasized in his report to the Board of Governors that the Islamic Republic is not fully cooperating with the Agency and is not providing necessary information regarding its nuclear program. Rafael Grossi warned that Tehran's lack of transparency makes it difficult to verify the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Grossi's report comes at a time when Iranian officials continue to assert that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. On Monday, March 5, Grossi expressed 'deep regret' that the Islamic Republic has not yet changed its decision regarding the prohibition of activities of 'several experienced Agency inspectors' and emphasized that the Iranian government has halted the implementation of the Additional Protocol and limited the Agency's access for three years. The United States also condemned many of the recent nuclear actions of the Islamic Republic in a statement on Wednesday, March 6, calling for the dilution of all uranium reserves enriched to 60 percent and a complete halt to the production of enriched uranium at this level. The United States described the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities as 'deeply concerning' and stated that the production of such highly enriched uranium has 'no legitimate peaceful purpose.' Grossi expressed regret and concern over the Islamic Republic's lack of cooperation and the increase in enriched uranium reserves. A group of Republican senators in the U.S. urged the Biden administration to condemn the Islamic Republic at the Agency meeting. Grossi noted that Iran's enriched uranium reserves continue to increase. The IAEA report indicated that the Islamic Republic has 'for the first time' reduced its 60 percent enriched uranium reserves. The U.S. federal prosecutor's office charged a 'Yakuza' with attempting to sell uranium and plutonium to the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic has banned the use of VPNs; the U.S. stated, 'We will compensate.' Grossi criticized the Iranian government's 'concerning rhetoric' and the continuation of high-level enrichment. The U.S. response to the Islamic Republic's missile test: it has no effect on U.S. regional decisions.