Iran to continue enriching Uranium to 20% level despite nuclear deal: Iranian nuclear institute chief

Tehran/Washington: – Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammed Eslami, announced that despite signing the nuclear deal with the western countries and relaxation of sanctions by them, Iran would continue with the enrichment of Uranium to 20% levels. This Iranian stand could pose a serious challenge to the Biden administration and European Union, who are firm on the nuclear deal with Iran. Meanwhile, The United States has warned that even if Russia has invaded Ukraine, it does not become a green signal for Iran’s manufacture of nuclear weapons.

In 2015, Iran was permitted to enrich Uranium up to 3.67%. In this scenario, the announcement by the Head of AEOI becomes significant. Eslami has clarified that Iran is not bound by the provisions of the nuclear deal with the declaration that Iran will continue to enrich Uranium to a 20% level despite signing the agreement with the western countries. A few days ago, a senior Iranian leader had clarified that Iran would not make any changes to its nuclear program even after signing the nuclear deal with the western countries.

Therefore, this Iranian stand could corner the Biden administration advocating the nuclear deal with Iran. As per US media, the Biden administration could become a target of severe criticism for going ahead with the nuclear agreement with Iran ignoring the displeasure expressed by Israel and the Arab countries. The talk that this is one more failure of the foreign policy of the Biden administration will gain further ground. The US media also pointed out that this could increase the threat to US security.

Western countries have claimed that substantial progress was achieved in the nuclear negotiations being held in Vienna in the last week. As per the US state department, some issues are still unresolved. But the US state department did not clarify which issues are unresolved. US state department spokesman, Ned Price, clarified that the imposition of sanctions by the United States against Russia over the Ukraine issue should not be misconstrued as a blanket permit for Iran. Price said that the United States would continue to discuss the Iran issues with Russia giving importance to national security issues.

The negotiations between Iran and the international community for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal will continue. Price said that the Russian importance would remain the same in these negotiations. Therefore, the US state department has warned that Iran has not been awarded any concessions against the background of the Ukraine issue.