Salehi: We Will Not Activate New Centrifuges Until Negotiations Continue

The head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization stated that based on an 'unwritten' agreement and to 'not complicate the negotiation process', Iran does not intend to activate new centrifuges or inject active UF6 gas into the IR8 centrifuges until the continuation of nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 countries. According to Fars News Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday, December 9, 'Currently, 20,000 centrifuges are installed in Iran's nuclear facilities, of which 9,000 are not operational, and we do not intend to activate these 9,000 centrifuges as long as negotiations continue.' He added, 'We are currently working with 9,000 centrifuges to see what the outcome of the negotiations will be.' Additionally, according to the state news agency IRNA, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization referred to the IR4, IR6, and IR8 centrifuges, stating, 'We also have generations 4 and 6 centrifuges, and the generation 8 centrifuge, which is our latest and has 24 SWUs, is undergoing mechanical testing, but this centrifuge will not undergo chemical testing, meaning testing with enriched uranium injection, until negotiations continue.' According to ISNA, he added, 'The decision to not inject gas into our generation 8 centrifuges, although unwritten, is an understanding that has been made for the duration of the negotiations, and we are committed to it. We do not seek to provoke or complicate the negotiation process.' Mr. Salehi's remarks come as the state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday, December 6, citing a 'source close to the Iranian negotiating team', denying reports about 'Iran refraining from testing new centrifuges'. The Associated Press reported on Thursday, December 4, that members of the Obama administration told several members of Congress that the U.S. had gained significant concessions from Iran, including the Islamic Republic's commitment to more inspections of nuclear facilities and neutralizing larger amounts of Iran's uranium resources. 'We have come closer on some issues,' the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization also said on Tuesday, adding that in the nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 countries, topics such as 'enrichment', 'heavy water', 'sanctions', and 'Fordow' are being discussed, and the parties have come closer on these 'areas'. He added, 'Some issues have been resolved, and we have come very close on some other issues from both technical and legal perspectives, but political will is necessary to reach an agreement.' Mr. Salehi emphasized, 'My personal impression is that Obama and Kerry are interested in resolving the issue, but others do not want this issue to be resolved because if the negotiations yield results, it will be a great victory for Obama and will place him among the famous U.S. presidents.' Jen Psaki, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized on December 2 that the U.S. government does not wish to impose new sanctions while a 'joint action' is being undertaken between Iran and the P5+1, expressing hope that the parties would reach an agreement for a comprehensive action by the end of March, after which experts would finalize the details. In recent days, reports have emerged about senior U.S. diplomats' efforts to dissuade lawmakers from intensifying sanctions against Iran. According to the American newspaper 'The Wall Street Journal', Senator Robert Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is currently seeking to impose heavier sanctions against Iran. To prevent this action, Wendy Sherman, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, held a closed-door meeting with members of Congress.