European Union: “Installation of New Centrifuges in Iran is Deeply Concerning”

A European Union spokesperson described Iran’s implementation of the third step of reducing its JCPOA commitments as “incompatible” with the nuclear agreement with the country and warned that this step could “significantly” increase Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity.

The EU spokesperson criticized Iran for installing advanced and new centrifuge devices that would greatly increase the country’s capability to develop atomic bombs, and described this step as “incompatible” with the nuclear agreement with Iran (JCPOA).

According to the French news agency, the EU spokesperson on Tuesday, September 19 (September 10), referring to the agreement concluded in 2015, described this step as “another reduction in Iran’s JCPOA commitments.”

Iran announced the installation of new research centrifuges a few days ago as part of the third step of reducing its JCPOA commitments. The country has also exceeded some of the restrictions that had been imposed on uranium enrichment in this step.

Iran announced in May of this year, on the anniversary of the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA, that if Europe cannot remove the restrictions imposed on Iran’s oil sales and banking relations due to the return of American sanctions, it will gradually reduce its commitments to the JCPOA.

Cornel Feruta, the Acting Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who visited Iran a few days ago, confirmed the installation of these new centrifuges and said on Sunday: “These centrifuges are either installed or are being installed.”

In a report Feruta issued during his trip to Iran on this matter, it states: “All installed centrifuges are ready for gas injection, but gas has not yet been injected into them.”

The EU spokesperson described the installation of these centrifuges as “deeply concerning” and emphasized that the EU’s “commitment” to the nuclear agreement depends on “Iran’s full compliance with JCPOA obligations.”

He called on Iran to “stop all activities incompatible” with the JCPOA and to “refrain from any further steps” aimed at “undermining the preservation and full implementation of this agreement.”

Iran has stated that while it has reduced its commitments, it will continue to allow IAEA inspectors to inspect the country’s nuclear program.

Israel Katz, Israel’s Foreign Minister, in light of the Acting Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s visit to Iran and a statement issued by the Agency, called on the remaining signatories of the JCPOA (Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) to follow the United States’ path in withdrawing from this agreement and reimposing sanctions against Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, also on Monday while displaying images that were said to be related to “a secret nuclear research facility in Iran,” called on the European powers to abandon the JCPOA.

Netanyahu told the international community: “Wake up and recognize that Iran is systematically violating this agreement.”

He continued: “The only way to stop Iran’s progress toward a [nuclear] bomb and its aggression in the region is through pressure and more pressure.”

Source: DW