IRNA: Continuation of Iran's Nuclear Research and Development Activities in the Next Seven Months

The state news agency IRNA reported on Friday, October 6, citing a "reliable source close to" Iran's nuclear negotiating team, that "nuclear research and development activities" in Iran will continue for the next seven months based on the Geneva agreement. According to this informed source, "For the next seven months, Iran will continue its research and development activities as per the Geneva agreement, and there will be no change in this regard." Reuters reported on Monday, December 1, citing a diplomatic source, that based on the seven-month extension of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 reached on December 1, the Islamic Republic has agreed to convert an additional five kilograms of its enriched uranium oxide into nuclear fuel each month. Under the six-month Geneva agreement reached on December 1, 2013, Iran agreed to either dilute its 20% enriched uranium reserves or convert them into fuel rods. Following the extension of this agreement for another four months in July of this year, Iran agreed to convert an additional 25 kilograms of its more highly enriched uranium oxide into nuclear fuel. This amount represented one-quarter of Iran's total uranium oxide reserves. Marzieh Afkham, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated on Wednesday, December 3, that there is no intention to "confirm or deny" reports regarding changes in the details of the Geneva agreement, while adding that there has been no change in the "terms of the Geneva agreement and previous understandings." On the same day, Abbas Araghchi, a senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiating team, said that the path to achieving a nuclear understanding in negotiations with the P5+1 has largely been paved. The French news agency also reported on Wednesday, December 3, that Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, is leading a delegation of senior American diplomats this week to "strongly argue" with American lawmakers to refrain from adding further sanctions against Iran. However, just one day later, the Associated Press reported on Thursday, December 4, that some members of the U.S. Congress who support new sanctions against Iran are working to secure the necessary majority to prevent President Barack Obama from potentially vetoing the sanctions bill. Supporters of sanctions in the U.S. Senate need 67 votes out of 100 to prevent Mr. Obama from vetoing their bill. In this context, the agency requires a budget of "5.7 million dollars" to extend its mission in Iran. Senator Corker stated that the new Congress will play a role in nuclear negotiations with Iran. Araghchi reiterated that the path to achieving a nuclear understanding has largely been paved.