Wall Street Journal: Iran Reduces Accumulation Rate of 'Highly Enriched Uranium'; White House: We Do Not Confirm but Welcome It

The White House National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, John Kirby, refrained from confirming the Wall Street Journal's report on Iran's reduction in the accumulation rate of highly enriched uranium but stated that such de-escalatory steps are welcomed. Kirby also avoided answering whether the release of prisoners is part of a broader understanding between the U.S. and Iran, saying, 'The two countries are still engaged in negotiations on this matter, and the agreement has not yet been finalized.' He clarified that 'these American citizens have only been transferred out of prison and have not been transferred out of Iran.' Kirby confirmed that six billion dollars of Iran's frozen assets from South Korea will be transferred to Qatar, noting that there will be restrictions on how the Islamic Republic can use these assets. The White House's Strategic Communications Coordinator welcomed any Iranian actions aimed at reducing tensions, such as reducing enrichment, but emphasized that the U.S. has not engaged in any special negotiations with Iran, with current discussions focusing on the return of American prisoners. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing informed sources, that the Islamic Republic has reduced the speed of accumulation of 'uranium with sufficient concentration to produce nuclear weapons' and has diluted some of its reserves. The slower Iran accumulates enriched uranium, the less fissile material it will have for nuclear weapons production. This report comes a day after the release of five American citizens from Evin prison and their transfer to a hotel in Tehran. Under an agreement between Washington and Tehran, Iran will gain access to six million dollars of its frozen assets in South Korea for humanitarian purposes such as purchasing medicine and food through Qatar's central bank in exchange for the final release of these American citizens. According to the Wall Street Journal, American and European officials have told the Islamic Republic that they are ready to hold broader negotiations, including on Iran's nuclear program, if tensions are reduced over the summer. The Biden administration hopes that a major crisis between Washington and Tehran will not occur as the presidential elections approach next year. However, critics argue that the Biden administration is rewarding the Islamic Republic for the hostage-taking of American citizens and a temporary halt in its nuclear activities amid increasing regional threats and providing military assistance to Russia against Ukraine. After the Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic significantly expanded its nuclear program. The Biden administration had initially declared the revival of the JCPOA as one of its goals, but negotiations for its revival failed due to the Islamic Republic's obstruction. One of the main concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program is the production of uranium enriched to 60%, which, according to American officials, could reach sufficient enrichment for nuclear weapons production within two weeks. American officials are hopeful that the Islamic Republic will halt 60% enrichment as one of the de-escalatory measures. Informed sources told the Wall Street Journal that the Islamic Republic has recently diluted a small amount of its 60% enriched uranium and reduced the speed of new material accumulation. From February to May, the Islamic Republic added an average of 9 kilograms to its 60% uranium reserves. The International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to publish its next report on Iran's nuclear program in late August or early September. According to the Wall Street Journal, although the rate of Iran's enriched uranium production may change for various reasons, such as maintenance of one of its two nuclear facilities, the fact that Tehran has decided to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium indicates that the slower accumulation of 60% uranium is 'deliberate.' However, even if the Islamic Republic decides to stop accumulating 60% enriched uranium, it still possesses enough material to produce at least two bombs. As of the time of this report, neither Iran nor the International Atomic Energy Agency has responded to the Wall Street Journal's report. Following secret indirect negotiations this spring between American and Iranian officials, the Biden administration has hoped that Tehran would take several steps, including halting the accumulation of 60% enriched uranium, cooperating more with the Agency, and stopping attacks on American forces and personnel to help reduce tensions.