Jason Ditz /AntiWar.com

 (June 11, 2019) — One day after IAEA chief Amano Yukiya reiterated that Iran remains in compliance with the P5+1 nuclear deal, US Ambassador Jackie Wolcott again claimed, incorrectly, that Iran was in violation of the deal. 

Wolcott argued that Iran’s testing of improved centrifuges are a “clear violation of the deal,” though most experts agree that the centrifuge language is not particularly clear, and what Iran is doing does not appear to be an actual violation, so long as all such centrifuges aren’t tested at the exact same time. 

The US accusations could be forgiven as a more strict interpretation of vague language, though since the US has already withdrawn from the treaty, they no longer have any say in its enforcement. This was indeed one of the main arguments by European nations for the US not to withdraw, warning they’d lose a say in interpretation of the rules.

Iran is intending to use improved centrifuges to ultimately substantially increase their enrichment capacity. The enrichment is at 3.6%, far below the 90%+ needed for weapons, and that low-enriched uranium stockpile is used to fuel the Bushehr power plant. 

It is that fact which underpins everything else Iran is doing. Iran is allowed to help supply its own fuel for its own power plant, and as their enrichment remains at this very low level, only useful of civilian purposes, there is no military dimension, and in practice no meaningful violation. 

Despite the US continuing to make false accusations against Iran, and having a large military presence deployed to the Middle East to confront Iran, US officials continue to insist that they are willing to negotiate with Iran. The talks appear unlikely, however, as Iran says they see no sincerity in the offer, given all the threats surrounding it. 

Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.