Iran responds to IAEA criticism of its nuclear activities with 'new advanced centrifuges'

Iran announced on Friday November 22 the commissioning of “new advanced centrifuges” in retaliation for the adoption of a critical resolution in Vienna condemning Tehran's nuclear activities, singled out for its lack of cooperation.

The text, drawn up by London, Paris and Berlin associated with Washington, was approved Thursday by 19 of the 35 member states of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to diplomatic sources interviewed by the Agence France-Presse (AFP). Russia, China and Burkina Faso voted against, while twelve countries abstained. Venezuela was unable to participate.

After the vote, the representative of Iran criticized AFP for a gesture “politically motivated”. Accordingly, “the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran [OIEA] ordered to take effective measures, including putting into operation a series of new advanced centrifuges of different types”the AEOI and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a joint statement on Friday.

“Legal obligations”

Centrifuges are machines that enrich uranium transformed into gas, by rotating it at very high speed, allowing the increase in the proportion of isotope fissile material (U-235) for different uses.

“At the same time, technical and safeguards cooperation will continue with the IAEA, as in the past”in accordance with the commitments made by Iran, specify the Iranian authorities.

The text validated Thursday in Vienna, whose significance is symbolic at this stage, reminds Iran of its “legal obligations”under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ratified in 1970. Western diplomats have issued a harsh indictment against Iran and denounced the escalation of the Islamic Republic, with American Ambassador Laura Holgate reporting nuclear activities “deeply disturbing”.

Tehran defends the right to nuclear power for civilian purposes, particularly for energy, but denies wanting to acquire an atomic bomb, which Western countries suspect. The NPT requires signatory states to declare and place their nuclear materials under the control of the IAEA.

In 2015, Iran concluded an agreement in Vienna with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and the United States to regulate its nuclear program. In return, the text provided for a reduction in international sanctions against Tehran. But in 2018, Donald Trump, then President of the United States, unilaterally withdrew his country from the agreement – ​​with which Tehran complied, according to the IAEA – and reestablished heavy sanctions against Iran.

In retaliation, Tehran significantly increased its reserves of enriched materials, and raised the enrichment threshold to 60%, close to the 90% needed to make an atomic weapon under the IAEA definition. The nuclear agreement, now an empty shell that negotiations failed to revive in 2022, capped this rate at 3.67%.

Removing “doubts and ambiguities”

Iran has also severely restricted its cooperation with the IAEA since 2021, disconnecting surveillance cameras and withdrawing the accreditation of experienced inspectors.

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, said he wanted to lift “doubts and ambiguities” on his country's nuclear program. Iran thus considers that it has demonstrated “good will” by inviting the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, to Iran last week to visit the nuclear sites of Natanz and Fordo (center).

This trip was seen as one of the last chances for diplomacy before Donald Trump's return to the White House in January. Mr. Trump was the architect of a so-called “maximum pressure” policy against Iran during his first term (2017-2021).