US and Three European Countries Warn of Consequences of Iran’s Decision to Produce Metallic Uranium

The United States and three European countries warned on Tuesday, July 6, that Iran’s move to produce uranium metal enriched to 20 percent threatens negotiations to revive the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, in Vienna, the capital of Austria.

The foreign ministers of three European countries participating in Vienna talks expressed their “deep concern” in a joint statement about Iran’s intention to produce uranium metal enriched to 20 percent for research reactor fuel.

The foreign ministers of Britain and France emphasized that Iran’s move constitutes a serious violation of this country’s commitments under the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

The three European countries stated in this statement: Iran, with its latest measures, is threatening the successful outcome of Vienna talks despite the progress achieved in six rounds of negotiations so far.

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced earlier that day that Iran has informed the agency that it intends to produce uranium metal enriched to 20 percent for research reactor fuel.

The agency said in its report that Iran announced today that 20 percent enriched uranium oxide has been transferred to facilities in Isfahan to be converted to uranium metal.

The foreign ministers of the three European countries say Iran has no peaceful need for the production and research of uranium metal, which is a key step in nuclear weapons development.

The three European countries further stated that this measure was taken when Iran, by withdrawing from the monitoring arrangements agreed upon in the JCPOA, has fundamentally limited the access of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has also suspended the implementation of the Additional Protocol.

Continuing the statement of the foreign ministers of Britain and France, it states: We strongly urge Iran to immediately stop all activities in violation of the JCPOA and return to negotiations in Vienna, with the prospect of bringing them to a quick conclusion.

They said: We have repeatedly emphasized that time is not in the interest of any of the parties.

US: Iran Complicates Return to JCPOA

A US State Department spokesperson warned on Tuesday that Iran’s decision to produce uranium metal could complicate this country’s return to the JCPOA agreement.

Ned Price said it is concerning that Iran prefers to intensify non-implementation of JCPOA commitments on non-proliferation (nuclear weapons) and especially with experiments that have value for research into the production of atomic weapons.

He also said this is another regrettable step backward by Iran, especially when we in turn have demonstrated our sincere intention and willingness to return to [the JCPOA agreement].

The US State Department spokesperson also called on Iran to stop its adventurism and return to Vienna for “serious” negotiations.

Ned Price stated: Iran should “be prepared to finish what we started in April.”

Meanwhile, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the Atomic Energy Organization’s program to produce a silicide fuel plate for use in the Tehran reactor was notified to the agency nine days ago and its operational proceedings were immediately launched.

The Iranian Parliament on December 1 last year in a resolution approved by the Guardian Council obligated the government that if financial, banking, and oil sanctions are not lifted by March 20 of that year, Iran will suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol and place the production of uranium metal, 20 percent enrichment, and the use of advanced centrifuges on its agenda.

Source: Radio Farda