Mogherini's Spokesperson: Iran's Recent Nuclear Actions Do Not Help Build Trust

The spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy chief says that Iran's recent announced actions to increase enrichment capacity do not violate the JCPOA, but these actions do not help build trust regarding the nature of Iran's nuclear program at this 'sensitive juncture.' Maya Kocijancic, spokesperson for Federica Mogherini, said on Tuesday, June 5, to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 'Initial assessments indicate that the announced actions (by Iran) do not violate the JCPOA. However, at this sensitive time, these actions do not help build trust regarding the nature of Iran's nuclear program.' She added: 'As we have reiterated, we expect Iran to adhere to all its commitments under the JCPOA - under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency - just as it has done so far, and the Agency has confirmed this adherence in 11 consecutive reports.' Kocijancic emphasized that the Agency is the only monitoring and verification body regarding Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. These remarks from the spokesperson of this senior EU official come after the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran ordered the Atomic Energy Organization on June 4 to prepare the necessary arrangements to reach 190,000 SWU of uranium enrichment 'for now within the framework of the JCPOA.' Iran's enrichment capacity is currently about 6,000 SWU. One day after this order, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated that if Iran exits the JCPOA, it could reach a 190,000 SWU enrichment capacity within a year and a half or two years. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for this organization, also announced that Iran has informed the Agency in a letter that it has begun the process of increasing the necessary capacities for producing UF-6 and UF-4 gas and constructing and assembling a 'centrifuge rotor factory.' A Russian official also stated that Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment capacity is not contrary to Tehran's commitments under the JCPOA, but at the same time urged Tehran to avoid steps that could be 'provocative.' According to Anna Raiskaya, a reporter for Radio Farda, Alexander Grushko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, told reporters that Iran's recent decisions are within the framework of the JCPOA and it is important for Tehran to remain committed to the terms of this agreement. According to this Russian diplomat, 'Otherwise, opponents of the JCPOA will have another excuse to destroy this agreement.' These recent developments come at a time when the United States announced on May 8 that it was withdrawing from the JCPOA, but the European Troika, including France, Britain, and Germany, announced that they would maintain this agreement. Iran and the three European countries that participated in the P5+1 negotiations to resolve Tehran's nuclear program are consulting to find a solution to counter US sanctions against Iran. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister, said on June 1 that the European Union has made progress in taking measures to protect its trade relations with Iran, but these measures are not sufficient. After the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, Washington warned European companies to halt their activities in Iran. So far, several foreign companies have announced that they are ending their activities in Iran.