Statement from the European Troika: Iran Should Refrain from Threatening to Produce Nuclear Weapons

France, Germany, and the UK, known as the European Troika, issued a joint statement on Thursday, November 22, prior to the mentioned vote, during a meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna regarding Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. In this statement, these countries expressed deep concern over the expansion of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile to 60%, which is now over 32 times the limit set by the JCPOA. It was also noted that Iran has increased its production capacity by installing advanced centrifuges at the Natanz facility. The statement indicated that Iran continues to obstruct the IAEA's work and prevent transparency, and due to the suspension of the Additional Protocol and the Agency's deprivation of complementary access to sites, the Agency's ability to monitor and ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program has been severely weakened. The three countries also called for an immediate halt to enrichment at the 60% level, a reduction in enriched uranium stockpiles, and Iran's return to its JCPOA commitments. The statement reads, 'Iran's choices and decisions regarding its nuclear activities are the source of this long-standing crisis in nuclear weapons proliferation. It is Iran that has exacerbated this situation by distancing itself further from its JCPOA commitments.' The text continues, 'Therefore, we call on Iran to stop and reverse its nuclear tensions and refrain from threatening to produce nuclear weapons; to return to the limits set by the JCPOA, especially regarding enrichment; to implement the joint statement between Iran and the IAEA from March 2023 and commitments related to transparency and cooperation with the Agency, including restoring all transparency measures that were halted in February 2021; to allow the Agency to install monitoring and surveillance equipment at requested locations; to re-implement the Additional Protocol and swiftly ratify it; and to fully revoke its decision in September 2023 to cancel the accreditation of experienced inspectors.' The Troika emphasized that Iran's behavior poses a threat to international security and that the international community must be resolute in preventing the development of nuclear weapons by Iran. Officials of the Islamic Republic, who have always emphasized the civilian and peaceful nature of their nuclear program, have recently spoken several times about the possibility of a 'change in military and nuclear doctrine.' Among them, Kamal Kharrazi, senior advisor to Ali Khamenei and head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations of Iran, referred to this issue once on November 1 and previously on May 9. Grossi expressed hope that Iran would adhere to limiting its uranium stockpiles. Earlier this week, European powers and the United States officially presented a censure plan against Iran to the IAEA Board of Governors. Western powers have repeatedly expressed their concerns over Iran's reduced cooperation with the Agency, as tensions have sharply increased since the 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions collapsed. The censure plan presented by the UK, France, Germany, and the United States emphasizes that it is 'essential and urgent' for Iran to 'take action to fulfill its legal obligations.' This confidential resolution, which was seen by AFP, also asks Tehran to provide 'acceptable technical explanations' regarding the presence of uranium particles at two undeclared locations in Iran. Additionally, Western powers have called for a 'comprehensive report' from the Agency on Iran's nuclear activities 'ultimately' by spring 2025. Since 2021, Iran has significantly reduced its cooperation with the Agency, including deactivating monitoring equipment for its nuclear program and preventing access for UN inspectors. Simultaneously, Iran has rapidly increased its nuclear activities, including its enriched uranium stockpiles, raising concerns about Tehran's potential efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons. The plan to issue a new resolution was raised just as Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the Agency, returned from Tehran last week. Following his return, it seemed that progress had been made. During this trip, Iran agreed to the Agency's request to limit sensitive uranium stockpiles close to weapons-grade levels of 60% purity. Grossi told reporters on Wednesday, 'This is a tangible step in the right direction,' adding that this is the 'first time' Iran has made such a commitment since it began violating its obligations under the 2015 agreement. The 2015 nuclear agreement was unilaterally abandoned by the United States under President Donald Trump three years later. In response, Tehran set aside some of its commitments and increased its uranium stockpiles, raising it to purities above 3.67%, which was sufficient for nuclear power plants and permitted under the agreement.