Salehi: We Had Almost Reached Full Understanding in Vienna Negotiations

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization says that Iran and the 1+5 countries had "almost reached full understanding" during the Vienna negotiations on December 3, but "something happened that caused the other side to retreat." On December 3, which was the second deadline set for reaching a final agreement, Iran and the 1+5 countries failed to reach an understanding in Vienna, Austria, and the negotiations were extended for another seven months and seven days. According to Fars News Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi stated on Saturday evening, January 20, in a television program that without going into details, the parties had "almost reached full understanding and the generalities were almost accepted." Salehi noted that "something happened that caused the other side to retreat," adding, "There are many hands at work. They see their interests in continuing the crisis." He referred to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed that Israel prevented the negotiations from reaching an agreement. Netanyahu welcomed the failure of the Iran and 1+5 negotiations in Vienna. Salehi continued by saying, "Some topics have more or less reached the end of discussions, and we can say we have reached a common point, but there are demands in some matters, such as the issue of enrichment and the method of lifting sanctions." Salehi mentioned that Iran operates 9,000 centrifuges and enriches 2.5 tons of uranium annually, noting that Iran's annual uranium needs are 30 tons. He added, "They are not satisfied with this amount either, saying it is too much and that we should reduce the number of centrifuges. Convert the accumulated 5 percent production." Salehi stated that after the end of the eight-year contract with Russia, Iran must be able to produce the fuel needed for the Bushehr power plant, which is "almost 30 tons" per year. He emphasized that Iran is ready to go through this period in a "staged" manner. Salehi explained the concept of staged by saying, "We say you determine the first step... but the last step must be ours, and in eight years we should be in a position to... supply the 30 tons needed annually for the Bushehr power plant in addition to other ancillary needs." Enriched uranium and the number of centrifuges in Iran have been reported as contentious issues between Iran and the 1+5 group. On January 12, the Associated Press reported, citing "diplomats," that the U.S. demanded a reduction in the number of centrifuges to at least half, meaning 4,500 units, while Iran agrees only to a 20 percent reduction, bringing them down to 8,000 machines. Salehi further stated that they showed flexibility, but the other side insisted on "excessive demands," adding, "In Oman, they said things that were out of line, and our negotiator responded very timely and firmly." Jawad Karimi Qodousi, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Commission, stated on January 14 that the Americans presented their proposal for transferring Iran's uranium reserves to Russia to the Iranian Foreign Minister during the Muscat negotiations. Salehi mentioned that "issues are still unclear" regarding this matter, adding, "They said Iran exports its fuel abroad. What do they mean by fuel?... Do they mean 5 percent UF6 as fuel? Do they mean fuel pellets as fuel?... The definition must be clarified." Previously, Islamic Republic officials denied any agreement to transfer Iran's enriched uranium to Russia. The next round of nuclear negotiations between Iran, the U.S., France, the U.K., China, Russia, and Germany is scheduled for January 15 (January 25) at the deputy foreign ministers' level.