Islamic Republic Pursues Development of Nuclear Power Plants; Eslami: We Have Sent New Documents to the Agency

On August 4, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic, Mohammad Eslami, stated: "We have a completely strategic and operational roadmap for the development and localization of the country's nuclear power plants." Eslami spoke to reporters on Wednesday on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, saying: "We have identified the entire supply chain that must be active in the processes of power plant construction, and as the first step, we have started the operational activities of the Karun power plant, which is part of the chain of power plants." He added: "One of our most significant achievements has been that we have been able to produce yellowcake from phosphate to be added to radioactive sources like uranium. Additionally, last month we managed to utilize thulium and sodium for use in small-scale reactors and for radiation purposes." In response to a question about the latest interactions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Eslami said: "Iran and the Agency have continuous and stable interactions, and our relationship with the Agency is based on the March statement with Grossi, based on safeguards and the NPT. Regarding the two remaining locations, we have sent documents and evidence to the Agency; if they are not accepted, we will clarify and provide more documents and evidence." The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, expressed dissatisfaction on July 9 about the implementation of the recent agreement with Tehran, stating that the continuation of the Islamic Republic's enrichment activities has raised concerns. In an interview with France 24, Grossi mentioned that Iran's enriched uranium reserves have increased by 25% over the past three months, and newly installed equipment at Iran's nuclear facilities does not significantly assist in the Agency's monitoring missions due to restrictions. Current assessments show that the Bushehr nuclear power plant currently supplies only about 1.5% of the country's electricity. The Russian company that built the Bushehr plant recently announced that the construction of this facility has cost Iran over $10 billion. Blinken: We are not in a position to talk about a nuclear deal with Iran. The ambiguity continues regarding the revival of the JCPOA; Iran's uranium reserves have increased. A bipartisan proposal has been presented in the U.S. Senate to intensify sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Grossi: Iran's enriched uranium reserves have increased by over 25% in three months. Joint statement from the Agency and Iran: The Islamic Republic has agreed to more oversight of its nuclear program. The U.S., U.K., Germany, and France welcomed the IAEA Board resolution regarding Iran. In the revival of the JCPOA, Iran and the U.S. have differences over "important details." The U.S. State Department: The revival of the JCPOA and Iran's safeguard commitments should not be linked.