Iran's Supreme Leader: "Uranium Enrichment Level Can Be Raised Up to 60%"

IAEA Indicates Possible Reduction in Nuclear Inspection Scope
US Secretary of State: "Return if Iran Complies with Nuclear Deal"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Amid ongoing tug-of-war between the US and Iran over the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, pressured the US government by stating that Iran could once again increase uranium enrichment levels. The Joe Biden administration emphasized once again the principle that Iran must first comply with the nuclear deal for the US to lift sanctions and return, while leaving the door open for diplomatic solutions despite Iran's pressure.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 22nd (local time), Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei appeared on Iran's state television and stated, "The uranium enrichment level is not limited to 20%, and if Iran needs, it can enrich uranium up to 60%." He warned the US side, saying, "The US and European parties to the nuclear deal have treated Iran unfairly. However, we will not succumb to that pressure." However, he drew a line by saying Iran will not develop nuclear weapons.

Furthermore, the Iranian government announced on the same day that it would suspend implementation of the 'Additional Protocol,' one of the safety measures related to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) inspections. The Additional Protocol is an enhanced nuclear inspection allowing IAEA inspectors to make unannounced visits to Iranian nuclear facilities and check activities, known as a key provision of the nuclear deal. While in principle not breaking the negotiation table by stating it will restore the nuclear deal, this move is interpreted as a strong pressure tactic against the Biden administration.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

However, the Biden administration's response has been calm. Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department, said in a press briefing immediately after Khamenei's statement, "Khamenei's remarks sound like threats," and dismissed them by saying, "We will not respond to hypotheticals and intimidation." The Biden administration is known to maintain its existing policy that the US will lift sanctions and return to the nuclear deal only after Iran first complies with it.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also emphasized at the UN Disarmament Conference held via video conference on the same day, "If Iran strictly adheres to the NPT Safeguard Agreement and other nuclear deal commitments, the US will return to the deal." He added, "The US is committed to ensuring that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Diplomacy is the best path to achieve this goal," making it clear that negotiations will continue.

Meanwhile, the nuclear deal was signed in 2015 between the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, and Iran, stipulating that Iran would freeze and reduce its nuclear program in exchange for the six countries lifting economic sanctions against Iran. However, in May 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reinstated sanctions on Iran, and Iran gradually reduced its compliance with the deal the following year, effectively causing its collapse. President Biden had pledged to restore the Iran nuclear deal since his presidential campaign.