Kamali: We Will Begin the Process of Increasing the Production Capacity of UF4 and UF6 Gases

The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization stated that in a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran announced it would begin the process of increasing the necessary capacities for the production of UF6 and UF4 gases and the construction and assembly of a "centrifuge rotor factory." Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson, told ISNA on June 4 that Iran was supposed to achieve "at least 190,000 SWU" of enrichment by the end of the 15-year program under the JCPOA. He referred to a speech by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on Tuesday, adding, "We must do things that will allow this process to be achieved more quickly and in a shorter time." Kamalvandi stated that this issue would be communicated in a letter to the IAEA, which will be delivered by Iran's representation in Vienna. He also mentioned that "there will be no changes in our cooperation with the Agency at the safeguard, additional protocol, and JCPOA levels, and we will carry out all of them." Just hours before Kamalvandi's remarks, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, urged the Atomic Energy Organization to prepare the necessary groundwork for Iran to reach 190,000 SWU of uranium enrichment "currently within the framework of the JCPOA." Achieving 190,000 SWU is one of the red lines set by the Supreme Leader prior to reaching a nuclear agreement in Vienna. Iran's enrichment capacity is currently about 6,000 SWU. SWU is a unit for separating uranium isotopes. Uranium hexafluoride, with the formula UF6, is a compound used in the uranium enrichment process. UF4 is also the chemical formula for uranium tetrafluoride. A rotor is part of a centrifuge. Hassan Rouhani stated last year that Iran achieved UF4 and UF6 in 2004. These gases are injected into centrifuges. Several Iranian officials have stated that injecting UF6 into Iran's IR-8 centrifuges is part of "Iran's rights under the JCPOA." After Donald Trump, the President of the United States, officially announced that his country would withdraw from the nuclear agreement, Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic, said he instructed the Atomic Energy Organization to prepare for "unrestricted industrial enrichment." The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization stated that the Supreme Leader's remarks on Tuesday "are aimed at ensuring that necessary actions are taken quickly in the required capacities and areas." When asked whether Iran's new actions might lead to Europe exiting the JCPOA, Kamalvandi did not provide a specific answer but stated that Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons. This has been emphasized by Iranian officials previously. However, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, presented "documents and evidence" on April 29 that he claimed demonstrate Iran's secret advancements and "deception of the world" regarding weapons and nuclear arms. Netanyahu claimed that these documents "decisively" prove that Iran continues to deceive the international community and has moved its nuclear program to hidden locations outside of known Iranian nuclear sites after the JCPOA. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described Netanyahu's statements as a "childish and ridiculous display" aimed at "staging for the destruction of the JCPOA." Under the agreement reached in July 2015 between the Obama administration, France, Russia, China, Germany, the UK, and Iran, Tehran is required to impose strict limitations on its nuclear program, subject to oversight and verification by international inspectors, and must prove it does not intend to build and produce nuclear weapons. In return, sanctions against Iran were lifted. Following Trump's exit from the JCPOA, U.S. sanctions are set to be reinstated in the coming months. However, European parties, China, and Russia have stated their intention to preserve and adhere to the JCPOA. Donald Trump has stated that the nuclear agreement "allowed Iran to pursue uranium enrichment and gradually reach the threshold of building a nuclear bomb." He has also strongly criticized Iran's regional activities, ballistic missile development, and other actions. The U.S. President has emphasized the desire for a new and comprehensive agreement with Iran that includes "all of Iran's destabilizing behaviors, including in Syria and Yemen." Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, has also announced a list of 12 conditions for reaching a new agreement with Tehran.