Netanyahu: Iran Can Have a Limited Number of Centrifuges

On Thursday, March 18, Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel might accept Iran having a limited number of centrifuges but emphasized that global powers could achieve a better agreement than what is currently being discussed in negotiations. The Israeli Prime Minister, in an interview with NBC, said, "I think a better agreement can be reached. The agreement I envision would reduce Iran's nuclear capabilities to the extent that the preparation time for building a nuclear weapon is increased." Regarding reports about the possibility of Iran maintaining six thousand centrifuges, he said, "If I had a vote in these negotiations, I would say zero centrifuges." A centrifuge is an advanced device that spins uranium gas at supersonic speeds to convert it into a material suitable for reactor fuel and, at much higher concentrations, into a material for making an atomic bomb. Iran currently has 19,000 centrifuges, of which ten thousand are active. Netanyahu has repeatedly called for the dismantling of all of Iran's nuclear capabilities. After a direct question from the NBC host about the possibility of accepting Iranian centrifuges, he said, "In my opinion, a much smaller number of centrifuges for Iran, although not desirable for Israel and its neighboring Arab countries, could be accepted." He added, "The most important issue is that the lifting of restrictions imposed on Iran should be conditional on a change in its behavior. Iran must stop supporting terrorism, attacking regional countries, and threatening to destroy Israel." On Thursday, the Associated Press reported on negotiations between six global powers and Iran in Switzerland, discussing a draft agreement that includes the acceptance of six thousand centrifuges for Iran. However, U.S. officials denied this report. Tony Blinken, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, told Congress members, "My understanding is that there is no draft. This news is incorrect." Iran and the six global powers, including the U.S., Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany, are negotiating to reach a framework for a nuclear agreement by April 1, which, if successful, could pave the way for a historic agreement by the end of June. Netanyahu's speech last month in the U.S. Congress and his strong criticism of the nuclear agreement with Iran displeased the U.S. government. Despite the U.S. government's strong criticism of this speech, the Israeli Prime Minister told NBC that he received positive reactions from both Democratic and Republican representatives in the U.S. as well as from leaders of countries around the world, including Arab countries.