Kremlin unfazed by Iran’s decision to reboot uranium enrichment program
Russia’s Foreign Ministry says that Iran’s decision to relaunch its research and development activities on uranium enrichment centrifuges does not pose a threat because it is constantly being monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“There is no risk of the research being switched to use for undeclared purposes. Iran is fully compliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it adheres to the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards agreement, and is implementing the Additional Protocol,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that Iran’s new steps towards reducing its obligations under the Nuclear Deal were made under sanction pressure from the US, especially against Iran’s space sector.
On September 6, Iran once again reduced its commitments to the Nuclear Deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the Islamic republic would no longer adhere to the restrictions on nuclear research for establishing uranium enrichment centrifuges.
The Nuclear Deal was signed by Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2015 and proposed to lift the sanctions on Tehran in exchange for a reduction in its nuclear program. However, in 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reinstated the sanctions, citing non-compliance by Iran.