In a prime-time interview on State TV on Saturday night, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi (pictured), presented Iranian concessions established in the nuclear framework agreed with the 5+1 on April 2 as achievements for the Islamic Republic.
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11:48 AM - 26 Apr 2015
Salehi noted that, under the framework, Iran will have 5,000 uranium centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment plant, facilities at the second plant at Fordoo, and the under-construction heavy-water reactor at Arak.
The 5,000 Natanz centrifuges are about 1/2 of Irans current operations and about 1/4 of the number that it has installed. The capacity is 5% of the goal set by the Supreme Leader last year of 190,000 Separative Work Units by 2021.
In addition, the centrifuges at Fordoo will no longer contribute to Irans enhancement of uranium and can only carry out research unrelated to enrichment.
However, Salehi preferred to declare, They have tried to stop our research and development but could not reach their goal.
The former Foreign Minister also maintained that, under a comprehensive agreement, Irans military sites will not be subject to blanket inspections. Instead, the International Atomic Energy Agency should ask for [access] and Iran is free to accept.
Although the issue of possible military dimensions is not at the forefront of the talks, it has been a public talking point since the nuclear framework was agreed. Some US commentators are insisting on unrestricted access to military sites, but Iran has said that this is not required under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, even if it adheres to an Additional Protocol.
Tehran said last week that it will permit a one-off inspection by the IAEA to the Parchin site. Western critics have accused Iran of carrying out high-explosives experiments for a military nuclear program at the facility.
The negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia) resume tomorrow in New York, where Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is attending a conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Zarif is expected to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry, European Union foreign policy head Federica Mogherini, and some of the 5+1?s Foreign Ministers during the trip.
By EA WorldView
