US Considers Iran’s Use of Advanced Centrifuges a Violation of JCPOA
The US representative to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency assessed Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges as a violation of the JCPOA. He stated that Iran has not adhered to its JCPOA commitments. The US ambassador once again called for negotiations with Iran.
Jackie Wolcott, US ambassador to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported Iran’s violation of the JCPOA. The quarterly meeting of the Board of Governors was held on Tuesday, June 11 in Vienna.
The United States is one of 35 countries represented on the Board of Governors. Jackie Wolcott, referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges, announced that this country has violated the commitments provided for in the nuclear agreement.
The US ambassador to the Board of Governors once again reported this country’s readiness to negotiate with officials of the Islamic Republic over the nuclear dispute.
It should be recalled that the United States formally withdrew from the nuclear agreement with Iran.
Jackie Wolcott further stated that the Islamic Republic cannot force the United States to back down from its policies by increasing uranium enrichment leverage.
Use of Advanced Centrifuges
The 2015 nuclear agreement recognizes Iran’s right to use first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, but prohibits the use of advanced centrifuges. However, according to statements by the US ambassador to the Board of Governors and a recent IAEA report, the Islamic Republic has used advanced centrifuges.
The quarterly report of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency indicates that Iran installed approximately 33 advanced IR-6 centrifuges last month and tested at least ten of this type of centrifuge with uranium hexafluoride feedstock.
The nuclear agreement provided that Iran has the right to “test” a maximum of 30 advanced centrifuges. However, a time period was set for these tests. Under the nuclear agreement, Iran would only have the right to test advanced centrifuges after eight and a half years had passed.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has remained silent on whether the installation of this number of advanced centrifuges and testing on them constitutes a violation of the JCPOA, leaving the decision-making in this regard to the relevant countries.
Jackie Wolcott said in this regard: “Iran claims it remains committed to the nuclear agreement, but it is now reported that this country has openly violated its commitments. This should be a cause for serious concern for all of us.”
The US ambassador to the Board of Governors has asked other countries participating in nuclear negotiations with Iran to take action against Iran’s violation of the JCPOA. He once again called for negotiations with Iran on a “comprehensive” nuclear agreement and at the same time asked Iran to end its destabilizing measures in the region.
Source: DW
