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Ambassadors

Iran's Ambassador to UN: Nuclear Enrichment Will Not Stop Despite International Pressure

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, asserted on Sunday that the Islamic republic's nuclear enrichment "will never stop" because it is permitted for "peaceful energy" purposes under the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Iravani emphasized that Iran's nuclear program is for "peaceful energy" purposes and that the country will continue to exercise its right to enrich uranium despite international pressure.

According to Iravani, Iran is ready for negotiations with the US, but not under the condition of "unconditional surrender." He stated that the US is dictating the policy towards Iran and that any negotiation must be based on mutual respect and not on the principle of surrender. Iravani also denied any threats to the safety of Raphael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and its inspectors.

Iran's envoy to the UN further clarified that the country is willing to transfer its stocks of enriched uranium to another country in the event of an agreement with the United States on Tehran's nuclear program. However, he emphasized that Iran will not renounce its right to domestic uranium production, a condition the US rejects. The transfer of uranium to another country would not be a red line for Tehran, Iravani said, adding that the material could alternatively remain in Iran under IAEA supervision.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, stated that the country's nuclear enrichment "will never stop" because it is permitted for peaceful energy purposes under the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
  • Iran is ready for negotiations with the US, but not under the condition of "unconditional surrender."
  • The country is willing to transfer its stocks of enriched uranium to another country in the event of an agreement with the US.
  • Iran will not renounce its right to domestic uranium production, despite US rejection of this condition.
  • The transfer of uranium to another country is not a red line for Tehran, and the material could alternatively remain in Iran under IAEA supervision.
  • IAEA inspectors are currently in Iran but do not have access to the country's nuclear facilities.
  • Iran's parliament has suspended cooperation with the IAEA.
  • The US obtained intercepted Iranian communications in which senior officials remarked that damage from the recent strikes was not as extensive as anticipated.

Statistics:

  • The stock of enriched uranium in Iran is 20% and 60% enriched uranium.
  • Iran has the capacity to produce enriched uranium within months.
  • The US claims that 400kg (880lb) of 60% enriched uranium was transferred from the Fordow facility before the strikes on April 3, 2023.
  • The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said that the notion that unnamed Iranian officials know what happened under hundreds of feet of rubble is "nonsense."

Sources:

  • CBS News
  • Al-Monitor
  • The Washington Post
  • Anadolu News Agency
  • Reuters
  • Fox News

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