Reuters: Iran Government to Install More Centrifuges at Natanz and Fordow

Reuters reported that the Islamic Republic has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to install more centrifuges at the Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities. According to a confidential report that Reuters has seen, the Islamic Republic also informed the Agency that it plans to bring online the devices recently installed at these facilities. The report does not mention uranium enrichment up to 60% purity by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian government has informed the Agency that eight cascades or clusters of new advanced IR-6 centrifuges for enrichment up to 5% will be installed at Fordow. On Thursday, December 1, 2023, the IAEA Board of Governors condemned the Islamic Republic's lack of cooperation with the Agency and its secrecy regarding Iran's nuclear activities by passing a resolution. The resolution called on the Islamic Republic to promptly provide credible explanations regarding 'human-origin uranium particles at two undeclared locations in Iran' and to inform the Agency of the current locations of nuclear material or contaminated equipment, as well as to provide the necessary information, documents, and responses required by the Agency and to grant access to locations and materials needed by the Agency's inspectors. The U.S. representative at the IAEA on Thursday, December 1, expressed gratitude to the Director General of the Agency for providing verification and oversight reports on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, which led to the issuance of a resolution against the Iranian government. Laura Holgate, referring to the continued installation of additional advanced centrifuge cascades and the accumulation of larger amounts of highly enriched uranium by the Islamic Republic, noted: 'As this report indicates, the leaders of the Iranian government are rapidly continuing to expand their nuclear program, which is deeply concerning.' She emphasized that 'the stockpile of highly enriched uranium has no peaceful purpose' and added: 'Only nuclear-armed countries enrich uranium to 60%, and if the Islamic Republic is truly interested in building trust and considers the nature of its nuclear program peaceful, it must not only stop further production of 60% enriched uranium but also fully reduce its existing 60% stockpile.' The U.S. representative at the Agency expressed deep regret over the Islamic Republic's 'obstruction' regarding safeguards concerns and its failure to fulfill its legal obligations, stating: 'Tehran must fully and without further delay implement its legal safeguards obligations and take the Additional Protocol and full transparency regarding the production of centrifuge components seriously.' Following this condemnation, the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic issued a joint statement announcing that an order had been issued to launch a series of new and advanced centrifuges in Iran. Kyodo News: Iran will negotiate with three European powers in Geneva on Friday. A double standard in nuclear matters; from Larijani's green light to Kamalvandi's threats. The Islamic Republic's new position for 'agreement with the U.S.' was announced by Ali Larijani. The European troika: 'Iran's nuclear behavior' threatens international security. Exclusive | U.S. State Department: The Islamic Republic is not on the right track in its nuclear program. Following the presentation of a new resolution to the Board of Governors; phone conversation between Araqchi and Grossi.