Rouhani Threatens U.S. with Unveiling of More Advanced Centrifuges

After the United States placed the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on its list of "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" on Monday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani threatened on Tuesday to unveil more advanced centrifuges during the "National Nuclear Technology Day" speech. According to the official IRNA news agency, Rouhani addressed the U.S. saying, "If you were afraid of our IR1 centrifuges yesterday, know that today we have inaugurated a chain of 20 IR6 centrifuges." He further stated, "And if you continue your oppression, we will unveil the IR8 chain in the not-too-distant future." Western powers have expressed concern over the continuation of Iran's nuclear program and the installation of more advanced uranium centrifuges, fearing that Iran could ultimately acquire a nuclear bomb and threaten their allied countries in the region. This concern led to extensive sanctions against Iran, prompting the Islamic Republic to sign an agreement known as the JCPOA with the U.S., Russia, China, France, the UK, and Germany. However, the U.S. withdrew from this agreement in May 2018 after a change in administration. On Tuesday, Rouhani also threatened the remaining parties to the JCPOA, stating, "I tell the 1+5, to that 1+5 that one of them broke their commitment. I tell the five to pay attention to their duties. We are patient, and we have been patient; but patience has its limits, and after that, the Iranian nation and system will take another step." Following the U.S. decision to label the IRGC as "terrorists," Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, announced in a speech that "114 new nuclear achievements" are ready for operation. According to Tasnim news agency, he stated that these achievements were prepared "despite the unkindness of some friends and the malicious rumors" and provided explanations regarding these projects, most of which pertain to nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow. Salehi mentioned that "we are pursuing the production and improvement of various types of centrifuge machines within the framework of the JCPOA while adhering to our commitments." Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic ordered the Atomic Energy Organization to prepare for Iran's attainment of 190,000 SWU of uranium enrichment "for now within the framework of the JCPOA." Rouhani also accused the United States of harboring ISIS leaders, stating that the U.S. is "at the top of world terrorism" and that it is still unwilling to fight against ISIS and continues to shelter its leaders. This statement comes as the U.S. has recently announced the liberation of the last villages from ISIS control through extensive and prolonged bombing campaigns in cooperation with its allies in the region. Rouhani did not provide evidence or sources for his accusations. He further stated, "If the Americans' intention with the sanctions against Iran was to reduce Iran's military power, they should know that from last year to this year, we have acquired missiles and weapons that they could not even imagine; they cannot take our military power away." He addressed U.S. officials saying, "We constantly hear your buzzing. You keep whispering in the ears of regional officials; however, it has not been effective and will not be."