Iran’s on again off again nuke program updated info here from
the AP report (via AOL mail) with this headline:
“UN
nuclear watchdog report seen by AP says Iran slows its enrichment of
near-weapons-grade uranium”
FYI: I wrote about this when Trump pulled out of the 2015 deal and
I knew then that it would come back to haunt us, and bingo here it is.
VIENNA (AP) —
Iran has slowed the pace at which it is enriching uranium to nearly
weapons-grade levels, according to a report by the UN’s nuclear watchdog (the
IAEA) published by The AP on August 28. That could be a sign Tehran is trying
to ease tensions after years of strain between it and the U.S.
This confidential report comes as Iran and the U.S. are negotiating a
prisoner swap and the release of billions of dollars
in Iranian assets still frozen in South Korea. International inspectors also
note new challenges in trying to monitor Iran's program.
In an effort to ensure Iran could not develop atomic weapons, world powers struck a deal with Tehran in 2015 under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iran agreed to limit enrichment of uranium to levels necessary for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Back then, U.N. inspectors were tasked with
monitoring the program.
But, Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of the accord on May 8, 2018 (photo above) saying he would negotiate a stronger deal, but that didn’t happen.
Iran began breaking the terms a year later even as Trump tried to re-implement the 2015 deal.
Background on the 2015 deal to
stop Iran’s to development of nukes (August 8, 2019 report) that Trump stopped
and then tried to restart:
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Trump administration formally notified
the UN of its demand for U.N. sanctions on Iran to be restored,
citing significant Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the notification to the president of the U.N. Security Council, setting the stage for a showdown in the world body that could lead to a crisis of credibility for its most important and powerful institution.
Even
before Pompeo presented the council president with the notice, other members
rejected the step.
None of the other council members believe the U.S. has the legal right to demand the re-imposition, or “snapback,” of sanctions because Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018.
As
such, the demand is expected to further isolate the U.S. at the U.N. and test
the Security Council’s credibility.
Now this in that aftermath left by Trump: The IAEA said in its report that Iran has 121.6 kilograms (268 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%.
That means its stockpile of the fuel is growing at its slowest pace since 2021. A report in May put the stockpile at just over 114 kilograms (250 pounds).
It had 87.5 kilograms (192
pounds) in February. Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical
step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and
continues to insist that its program is entirely for peaceful purposes, though
the IAEA's director-general has warned Tehran has enough enriched uranium
for “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to build
them.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not
immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.
Iran waiting to join this network of nuclear nations:
My 2 Cents: Who didn’t know that this would happen after Trump stuck his nose in the 2015 deal, stopped it, and then later wanted to show he was boss by demanding it be restarted to show he was a true “Art of the Deal” maker.
We also know that everything Trump touches turns to crap eventually, and this is a classic example of that.
So, what’s next? Who knows for sure. Fingers crossed for progress w/o any more Trump involved. Stay tuned.
Thanks for stopping by.
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